While doing some research this morning for my internship, I came across this interesting news tidbit — the Bargello Museum in Florence, Italy is currently restoring Donatello’s David for the first time, according to this article. Here’s the cool part: they’re doing it in front of visitors, while the museum’s open! All this thanks to laser technology that allows the bronze statue to stay in place while they restore it. Way cool.

I only wish they’d started sooner — I visited the Bargello when I was lucky enough to be in Florence in March, and wish I could have seen it being done! If you do happen to be in Florence anytime soon, definitely check out David and the Bargello. The Bargello is an absolutely fantastic little museum that, for some reason, is rarely busy, despite the incredible array of masterpieces that it holds. Inspired by this article, I’ll post some more about Donatello, his David, and the Bargello soon. Stay tuned!

Today I was at Border’s (not my usual bookstore — I prefer Barnes & Noble with their reader’s discount!) for a book signing and discovered this book while waiting in line. It covers all the basic masterpieces by chronology, with beautiful reproductions, and has what looks to be really good summaries of each work. I think it’s also written by art historians. But in addition to having all the prerequisite masterpieces, they also had a bunch of paintings that I’d never seen before, but definitely want to read about. So, this book is definitely going on my birthday list, since it rings in at a kind of hefty $34. Click the link to buy it from Amazon.com if you’re as intrigued as I am. If I do get it for my birthday, I’ll be sure to put up a review.