We're getting a sinking feeling that we aren't going to be able to see Il David on our visit to Florence starting Oct. 30. Just read that he's being shipped to the U.S. for a temporary exhibit in Atlanta & D.C. Anyone know how soon he'll be crated up and shipped off?

Suzy, If you mean the statue of David that is about to start a long process of being cleaned in preparation for his 500th birthday next Spring, I have heard nothing about it being shipped to the USA. I would be very surprised if the Italians/Americans would do such a thing.
Where did you hear of this?
BTW-Il David is an art school in Florence

Scarlett:
This is from the San Jose Mercury News, dated Oct. 7, 2003, with the heading "David Gets A Fresh Lookquot;
It shows a picture of a restorer cleaning David, then says, "Restorer ... cleans Michelangelo's masterpiece 'David' during restoration work in Florence, Italy. The sculpture, which depicts Biblican hero David, is scheduled to travel to the U.S. on Nov. 1 for temporary exhibits at the High Museum of Atlanta and the National Gallery in Washington, D.C."
(Under the photo there is the caption:
Franco Origlia - Getty Images.)

P.S. to Scarlett:
In the Guida alla citta (City Guide I received from Florence) the text refers to David as "il David."

Hi suzy,
Work started Monday on the cleaning of David. While the work is going on, people will still be able to view him, through the scaffolding etc. There is now a controversy over what methods of cleaning they will use.
The cleaning is expected to take 6 months.
March 31, 2004 is when they will celebrate, the 500th birthday of David, in Florence.

I did not mean that Il David was incorrect, only that there is an art school in Florence called Il David ~

I just checked the Washington D.C. National Gallery web site. The San Jose Mercury wrote about the wrong David! Not Michelangelo's but Verrocchio's, (a Renaissance Bronze from the Bargello).
Ah, what a relief - we will get to see David after all. (I too wondered how in the world they'd be willing to ship him off to the U.S.)

Im laughing my ronson off right now. You honestly didn't think Michaelangelo's David was coming to the States, did you?????? You are more likely to see the Statue of Liberty go to Cuba for an exhibition. Verrocchio's bronze David is in the Bargello, along with Donatello's notorious David. Michaelangelo's David is in Accademia. Some of you are daft as Mrs. Havisham, but thanks for the laugh.

ThinGorjus,

Dh and I had a good laugh at your Statue of Liberty comment!!

Thanks for the laugh!!

Beth