corrosion David statue

Monitoring and Restoring World's "Perfect Man"
(caution: nudity in the corrosion monitoring world !)

Update on the monitoring, cleaning and restoration of Michelangelo's 500 year old David Statue: According to recent press reports surface cleaning operations (over an eight month period, and likened to delicate washing of a baby's skin) have been completed. The web site of the Friends of Florence Foundation now documents the monitoring program in detail. Follow the news link at the bottom of the home page to "Diagnostics" and also the "Our Projects" link for monitoring activities.

It has been reported that Michelangelo's 500 year old marble statue of David* (in Florence, Italy) is undergoing (somewhat controversial) cleaning and restoration. According to recent press reports (March 2004) much progress has been made with more than 50% of the surface treated. This statue in the Galleria dell'Accademia has been described as the most famous sculpture in the history of art and the representation of male perfection (physical, one presumes).

perfectman.jpg (80973 bytes)

The "Perfect Man" in 1984 - image courtesy D. Tao

On the corrosion monitoring and diagnostic front, the project reportedly includes the following:

microclimatic surveillance;
gamma-ray testing to reveal the nature of the atmospheric deposits;
NDT for the presence of protective wax originally applied by the artist;
an overall philosophy of condition assessment and planning future preservation efforts .

* of biblical "David and Goliath" fame

Some additional points of interest surrounding this statue ...

The statue was initially exposed to a relatively corrosive outdoor atmosphere, before it was relocated indoors (around 1873).
Earlier cleaning, more than 100 years ago, was reportedly performed with "aggressive" acidic solutions.
More than 1,000,000 visitors to the statue, annually.
£150,000 to be spent on scientific research prior to cleaning.
Full scope of restoration requirements only expected to be revealed after the cleaning operations.
Projected restoration cost estimates range from around $250,000 to $500,000.
Planning the restoration and the restoration itself are a long term effort, spanning more than a decade.
Celebrities Mel Gibson and Sting reportedly providing financial support for restoration efforts.

References/Literature:

The Weekly Telegraph (North American Edition, Issue 626, July 23-29, 2003).

The Weekly Telegraph (North American Edition, Issue 613, April 23-29, 2003).

L. McLaren: "Bath time for David", in The Globe and Mail, October 1, 2002.

Links:
The web site of the Friends of Florence Foundation documents the monitoring program in detail. Follow the news link at the bottom of the home page to "Diagnostics" and also the "Our Projects" link for monitoring actvities.
Link to Galleria dell'Accademia with a picture of the famous statue at: http://www.sbas.firenze.it/accademia/

Monitoring Indoor Corrosion Activity