Donatello's David Undergoing First Restoration in a Century

FLORENCE—For the first time in over 100 years, Donatello's David (1440s) is being restored, the Daily Telegraph reports. David, which resides at the Bargello Museum, was the first free-standing nude bronze created since classical times. The restoration work, performed with a medical laser normally used to treat glaucoma, has revealed that the statue was once garnished with gold leaf. The gold was buried under a thick layer of wax applied to the statue in the 18th century by the Uffizi Gallery, in order to darken the work and make it match the other sculptures in its collection.

The clean-up is being done publicly so that visitors can learn about restoration work. Restorers expect to be done by the end of this year.