Intertek Inspects Statue Cast of Michelangelo’s David
Posted: 2015-1-24
Intertek, a leading provider of quality and safety solutions worldwide, used its
advanced technology to inspect the statue cast of Michelangelo’s David at the
world-renowned Victoria & Albert Museum in London in November and gave it a
clear bill of health
The 19th century plaster cast is the centrepiece at the V&A’s newly refurbished
Weston Cast Court, which reopened on November 29. Earlier in November, a
team of non-destructive testing experts from Derby-based Intertek went down
to inspect the five-metre David after the Museum noticed flaking and cracking
appearing on the figure. The statue had been moved around over the years and,
with London heavily bombed during the Second World War, it was feared that this
may have had an effect on David.
After the Museum had closed its doors to the public, Intertek’s team led by
Quality Engineer, Andy Saunders, and two colleagues used digital radiography to
examine David from his knees to his ankles – the most accessible parts of the
statue.
The team were not allowed to touch the surface of the statue and they used an
X-ray unit and digital scanner to examine David. The V&A staff were able to view
‘real-time’ images as the radiography was taking place. A further advantage of
using digital radiography is that the images can be enhanced and manipulated
for viewing and interpretation of the findings. The Intertek team discovered the
flakes and cracks were simply lines in the paint, possibly from when it had been
applied and as each paint layer was added over a period of time.
Andy Saunders, Intertek Quality Engineer and project leader, said: "It was a
unique opportunity to examine such a fabulous statue and it was a great
privilege to be part of this project. We enjoyed working on David immensely.
"The V&A staff were passionate about their work and very interested in the
digital images we produced. We look forward to working with the V&A again in
the future."
The cast of Michelangelo’s David was made from a mould taken directly from the
original in the mid-1850s and gifted to Queen Victoria by Leopold II, the Grand
Duke of Tuscany in 1857. Queen Victoria gave the plaster cast to South
Kensington Museum (now the V&A) and today it resides in the Weston Cast
Court.
Intertek’s non-destructive testing laboratory is based at Victory Park in Derby.
The company supports a wide range of industries including rail, general
engineering, aerospace, power generation, construction, petrochemical and, oil
and gas with its diverse range of non-destructing techniques. These techniques
include digital radiography, ultrasonic testing and eddy current testing.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From
auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and
certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality
and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than
1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100
countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by
helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability,
performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit
www.intertek.com
advanced technology to inspect the statue cast of Michelangelo’s David at the
world-renowned Victoria & Albert Museum in London in November and gave it a
clear bill of health
The 19th century plaster cast is the centrepiece at the V&A’s newly refurbished
Weston Cast Court, which reopened on November 29. Earlier in November, a
team of non-destructive testing experts from Derby-based Intertek went down
to inspect the five-metre David after the Museum noticed flaking and cracking
appearing on the figure. The statue had been moved around over the years and,
with London heavily bombed during the Second World War, it was feared that this
may have had an effect on David.
After the Museum had closed its doors to the public, Intertek’s team led by
Quality Engineer, Andy Saunders, and two colleagues used digital radiography to
examine David from his knees to his ankles – the most accessible parts of the
statue.
The team were not allowed to touch the surface of the statue and they used an
X-ray unit and digital scanner to examine David. The V&A staff were able to view
‘real-time’ images as the radiography was taking place. A further advantage of
using digital radiography is that the images can be enhanced and manipulated
for viewing and interpretation of the findings. The Intertek team discovered the
flakes and cracks were simply lines in the paint, possibly from when it had been
applied and as each paint layer was added over a period of time.
Andy Saunders, Intertek Quality Engineer and project leader, said: "It was a
unique opportunity to examine such a fabulous statue and it was a great
privilege to be part of this project. We enjoyed working on David immensely.
"The V&A staff were passionate about their work and very interested in the
digital images we produced. We look forward to working with the V&A again in
the future."
The cast of Michelangelo’s David was made from a mould taken directly from the
original in the mid-1850s and gifted to Queen Victoria by Leopold II, the Grand
Duke of Tuscany in 1857. Queen Victoria gave the plaster cast to South
Kensington Museum (now the V&A) and today it resides in the Weston Cast
Court.
Intertek’s non-destructive testing laboratory is based at Victory Park in Derby.
The company supports a wide range of industries including rail, general
engineering, aerospace, power generation, construction, petrochemical and, oil
and gas with its diverse range of non-destructing techniques. These techniques
include digital radiography, ultrasonic testing and eddy current testing.
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From
auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and
certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality
and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than
1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100
countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by
helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability,
performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit
www.intertek.com
