International Art Treasures Web Magazine

May 2004  

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David's Restoration

Michelangelo's David is currently undergoing a needed cleaning as a present for the statue's 500th birthday celebration in 2004.

The Statue stood in the Palazzo Vecchio until 1873 when it was moved to the Galleria dell'Accademia. Unsurprisingly the hair had turned black from the centuries of grime and dirt. The last time David was cleaned was in 1843.

Art critics, as usual, are divided as to whether this cleaning will do more harm than good. Some of the criticism leveled is that the entire matter is a publicity stunt to bring attention to  Florence and Italy.

David is perhaps the most famous sculpture in the world. How much more PR could this work need? Asked to name a famous statue David may not always be first, there is the Venus de Milo and others but the work is likely to appear in most lists of world statues.

Florence is a dynamic city. Even if David resided elsewhere there would be so many other reasons for art lovers and travelers to make a pilgrimage to the city. Italy would have its wonderful culture, history and countless art treasures should Michelangelo's marble masterpiece reside in another country. The argument that the clean-up job is a publicity stunt simply doesn't add up.

David's hair has been restored from a dark color, thanks to the centuries of grime, to its original white. Much of the work to remove the grime from the body of the work has been completed and they hope to be finished by the end of May. Seeing this work in its original condition, without the clean-up in anyway bringing harm to the statue is likely good for the longevity of the piece anyway. As it happens the researchers and restorers have discovered slight cracks in the left ankle which is something to consider for the future. Surely no one can suggest that leaving this problem untreated is the answer. This is a majestic imposing work that quite honestly is breathtaking when viewed. One's eyes are drawn to the imposing image of this young boy who had or was about to defeat Goliath and eventually become King David of Israel. His facial expression, his muscular composition and his stance all add together to make the experience of visiting this work in Florence or wherever well worth the trip. To allow the work to decay cannot be the solution. To those who are actually involved in the restoration work, they should be commended for the care they are taking, not criticized for taking on the job in the first place.