David returns

Florence

Michelangelo’s statue David was returned to public view at Florence’s Accademia Gallery this week, after a controversial eight-month cleaning. Museum officials ordered the work to prepare David for the 500th anniversary of its unveiling, to be celebrated in September. Restorer Cinzia Parnigoni used water and poultices to draw out grime accumulated over the 130 years since the masterpiece’s last thorough bath. The original expert hired to do the job quit, saying water could harm the surface of the priceless, 16-foot-tall sculpture. But Parnigoni said there was no reason to worry. “David is still itself,” said Parnigoni. “What has changed is his luminosity.”

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