“David”, the famous reinessance sculpture carved out of marble by Michelangelo between 1501-1504 has for many years been viewed by visitors at Galleria dell’Accademia in Florence, Italy. Now David is getting a twin and it will be showcased at Italy’s pavilion at Expo 2020, writes The Florentine.

The Swedish tech-company Hexagon AB and the University of Florence’s civic and environmental engineering department collaborated on the making of “David’s Twin”. The enormous piece of art was created by first scanning the original “David”, and then 3D-printing a copy.

The process of scanning and 3D printing “David’s Twin” statue is not only a reproduction, but a time document in itself of today’s advance in conservation and technology. This since the statue is not only a copy of the original in itself, but a copy of the original in its current state – a snapshot for the future to see the state of “David” at this time. 

Further, it is not only todays technology and advance in conservation which “David’s Twin” will tell the future about. Part of “David’s Twin” is created by recycled Ferrarelle-bottles, embodying our time’s ideal of recycling.

The finishing touches were laid by Nicola Salvioli imitating passing of time with resin and Carrara marble powder. He told The Florentine about “David’s Twin”: “I’m honoured to have been involved in assembling and dressing it. The interesting thing is that it’s not just a copy, it’s a document.”