Michelangelo’s David is celebrated as the epitome of Renaissance sculpture—perfectly balanced, realistic, and awe-inspiring. But there’s one surprising detail about this 17-foot-tall statue: David’s right hand is noticeably larger than the rest of his body. Why would Michelangelo, the master of anatomy, give David an oversized hand?

Some art historians believe this wasn’t a mistake at all! Michelangelo might have exaggerated David’s hand on purpose to symbolize strength and power. After all, David is the underdog who defeated the mighty Goliath, and perhaps this oversized hand is a subtle nod to the phrase, "a strong hand of God." Another theory suggests the sculpture was originally designed to be placed high on a cathedral, where the proportions would appear normal when viewed from below.