Davide's eldest brother, the writer Edoardo Calandra, was a prominent author who wrote the novel La bufera, an example of historical fiction.

After attending the Liceo Calandra followed the art lectures of the Accademia Albertina and then joined as a volunteer the cavalry where he attained the military rank of Sottotenente (Sub-Lieutenant).

From 1912 he was appointed president of the Piedmontese Society of Archaeology and Fine Arts (Società Piemontese di Archeologia e Belle Arti).

[2] His sculptures include a Garibaldi statue in the piazza of the same name in front of the Palazzo del Governatore, Parma and an equestrian monument of Prince Luigi Amedeo, Duke of the Abruzzi, commissioned by the city of Turin and located in the park of Valentino.

[2] His vast artistic production also includes some Italian coins made between 1908 and 1916 during the rule of Victor Emmanuel III of Italy.