You have given it life,' said the Gonfaloniere," rubbing the dust out of his eyes.
On August 12, 1502, Michael Angelo undertook another commission for the Republic--another giant David.

This time it was to be in bronze, two cubits and a quarter in height; in the casting he was to be assisted by Benedetto da Rovezzano.

It has been suggested that the pen and ink drawing in the Louvre is a design for this second David, but the drawing of an arm on the same sheet is so like the right arm of the first David that it is more probably an early idea for the first David, in which we see that Michael Angelo's design needed more room than the cramped block of marble allowed; it makes us wonder the more at the marvellous freedom of action that he managed to get out of the cramped stone.

The bronze David was intended for the French statesman, Pierre de Rohan, Marechal de Gie, as a present from the Florentine Republic, but before it was finished the Marechal fell into disgrace and could be of no further use to the Florentines.

The Signory therefore determined to send the bronze to Florimond Robertet, Secretary of Finance to the French King.