Michelangelo's David Copy Unveiled in Swiss Alps at Klosters

On July 2, a life-size marble copy of Michelangelo's David was inaugurated in Klosters, in the Canton of Grisons, Switzerland. The replica, over five meters tall and weighing more than nine tons, was carved from Carrara marble from the Polvaccio quarries, the same ones Michelangelo used in the early 16th century. It was created in 2017 by the Studi d'Arte Cave Michelangelo under the direction of Franco Barattini. The installation is part of the cultural project 'Scultura Viva', which aims to promote dialogue between contemporary art, landscape, and historical heritage. The David, originally created between 1501 and 1504 for the Florentine Republic, has been reproduced numerous times throughout history, with copies in Florence, London, Copenhagen, Melbourne, and the United States. The Klosters copy raises questions about the meaning of reproducing iconic artworks today, the value of artisanal craftsmanship, and how context alters an artwork's significance. The article, written by Laura Cocciolillo, discusses the historical role of copies as educational tools and the contemporary relevance of manual skill in an age of digital reproduction and AI.