David gets art world in a lather

Art experts are up in arms over whether Michelangelo's grimy masterpiece David should be sponged down or dry cleaned.

More than a century of dirt has collected on the limbs of Florence's famous marble statue, which celebrates its 500th anniversary next year.

But the birthday bath has split the art world. Convinced that David should be dusted down with dry hair brushes, Agnese Parronchi, the man appointed to clean David, quit in April.

He had come into conflict with Franca Falletti, director of Galleria dell'Accademia, in which David stands, who believes the sculpture will only get a proper wash with wet poultices.

Such delicate treatment is a far cry from the 16ft statue's washdown in the 19th century with hydrochloric acid.

Other art experts have signed a petition saying David should stay dirty.

An international commission has now been convened to decide which method is best. But Antonio Paolucci, Florence civic arts chief, said the Italians "didn't need to be told what to do by anyone". He added: "We are the best in the field of restoration."