It is rare for museums to allow the public to view such a pain-staking procedure on a work of art.

This marks the first time the free-standing figure, widely regarded as the first major work of Renaissance sculpture, will be restored.

The project will use cutting-edge cleaning techniques over 18 months, ending in the fall of 2008, and is expected to cost about 200,000 euros.

Last year, the 15th century statue, which shows a nude David standing with one foot on Goliath's severed head, underwent a detailed inspection, including X-rays, the Italian news agency reported Tuesday.

Donatello's work caused a stir because it veered from the Gothic art typical of his day. He is also one of the first Renaissance sculptors to incorporate the use of perspective in his work, ANSA noted.