Statue of David

The Statue of David in Louisville, Kentucky, is a towering 30-foot replica of Michelangelo's Renaissance original, rendered in a brilliant metallic gold finish. Created by Turkish conceptual artist Serkan Özkaya, the sculpture is nearly double the size of its Florentine inspiration and stands prominently at the corner of Main and 7th Streets.

Originally commissioned for the 9th International Istanbul Biennial in 2005, the piece had a tumultuous history—the first version collapsed during installation—before this reinforced iteration was successfully transported to Louisville in May 2012. It serves as a permanent outdoor installation for the 21c Museum Hotel, anchoring the city's "Museum Row."

Constructed from steel, fiberglass, and foam rather than marble, the statue is a modern reinterpretation of classical form. It has become a defining symbol of Louisville's contemporary art scene and the local "Keep Louisville Weird" culture, attracting tourists and photographers day and night.

Key Facts

Location: 700 W Main St, Louisville, KY 40202
Artist: Serkan Özkaya
Installed: May 2012
Height: 30 Feet (plus 8ft pedestal)
Material: Steel, Fiberglass, Foam, Gold Paint
Ownership: 21c Museum Hotel

Notable Features & Attributes

Conceptual Double-Scale

Özkaya's vision was to create a "double" of Michelangelo's David—not just a copy, but literally double the size, challenging viewer perceptions of a globally recognized icon.

Engineering Journey

After the first version's collapse in Istanbul, this reinforced iteration traveled 4,000 miles across the ocean and was trucked from New York to Louisville on its side.

Material Contrast

The choice of gold paint over white marble transforms the classical figure into a contemporary object of commerce and spectacle, fitting its location outside a luxury hotel.

2017 Restoration

The statue underwent significant repairs in 2017 to fix weather-induced cracks and refresh its metallic finish, ensuring it remained pristine for the Kentucky Derby season.

Visitor Information

Access & Viewing The statue is located outdoors on the sidewalk at the corner of West Main and 7th Streets. It is viewable free of charge, 24 hours a day. Nighttime illumination highlights the gold finish.

Nearby Amenities Situated on "Museum Row," the statue is within walking distance of the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, the Frazier History Museum, and the Kentucky Science Center.