Michelangelo's David Restoration Complete

May 25, 2004 � After a clean-up marked by bitter controversy, Italian
cultural authorities have unveiled Michelangelo's restored David,
saying that the project was a success.

Funded in equal parts by two charities � the Dutch foundation Ars
Longa and Friends of Florence, whose members include the singer Sting
and the actor Mel Gibson � the 400,000-euro ($480,200) cleaning
program removed gypsum and yellowish spots of beeswax but left the
masterpiece "the same as ever," according to the restoration team.