Michelangelos’s David may look relaxed, but he is actually rather stressed, especially around his left thigh, right shin and ankles. A new software analysis of the masterpiece predicts where it is most under strain, based solely on its shape. The method may also be able to help treat people’s physical problems as well as those of statues.
The computer conclusions match the real cracks, which have begun to appear in the 5.17-metre marble sculpture.
The crack damage, detailed in a 2006 study published in the Journal Of Cultural Heritage, indicates that the new scanning method could help archivists predict what areas of an ancient artefact may need to be bolstered to prevent damage, even if the statue has not yet shown signs of fatigue.
“Understanding structural properties of historical and cultural artefacts through computer simulations is often crucial to their preservation,” says Professor Vadim Shapiro of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.