In the context of David (Donatello), explore the Identification of the The bronze David.
The traditional identification of the figure was questioned in 1939 by Jenő Lányi, with an interpretation leaning toward ancient mythology, the hero's helmet especially suggesting Hermes or Mercury. A number of scholars since have followed Lanyi, sometimes referring to the statue as David-Mercury. If the figure were indeed meant to represent Mercury, it may be supposed that he stands atop the head of the vanquished giant Argus Panoptes. However, all quattrocento references to the statue identify it as David.
Hermes Mercury quattrocento David Argus Panoptes