FLORENCE, Italy, Nov. 30 (UPI) -- The director of the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy, says the facility has placed the statue of David back on display after a lengthy restoration.
Museum director Beatrice Paolozzi Strozzi said the 15th century statue created by Renaissance artist Donatello was fully restored to its original glory using advanced laser technology, The Daily Telegraph said Sunday.
"The David is incomparably more beautiful now than ever before, even though it would seem impossible," Strozzi said.
"We could only intervene now with the newest laser techniques; even the most delicate mechanical procedure would have hurt it," she added.
The Telegraph said the nearly $255,000 restoration included the application of a thin layer of gold to the statue. The British newspaper said the layer added during months of restoration work was intended to add luster to the historic piece of Western art.
