Italian authorities have installed a spectacular 3D replica of Michelangelo’s world-famous David sculpture at the centre of their country pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai.

The unveiling follows months of painstaking work by artists and innovators, which included 40 hours of digital scanning of the original 16th-century marble artwork in Florence; the creation of a three-dimensional digital model with a resolution of 146 thousandths of a millimetre; production by one of the world’s largest 3D printers; and hours of finishing touches by hand.

The David replica will be a highlight among the many rich and diverse cultural experiences that Expo 2020 and its 190-plus participating countries will showcase during the six-month celebration of human creativity, innovation and ingenuity.

It was revealed at a ceremony to mark the completion of the exterior of the Italy Pavilion, which was attended by Luigi Di Maio, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as  Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Cabinet Member, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Commissioner General of Expo 2020 Dubai; Reem Al Hashimi, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director General, Expo 2020 Dubai; Noura Al Kaabi, UAE Minister of Culture and Youth; and Hala Badri, Director General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; as well as Dario Nardella, Mayor of Florence; and Paolo Glisenti, Commissioner General of Italy at Expo 2020 Dubai.

During the ceremony, the Italy Pavilion’s three overturned hulls that form the country’s tricolour flag were also revealed.

Based on the theme ‘Beauty connects people’, the Italy Pavilion is located in Expo’s Opportunity District.