The Statue of David in South Dakota refers to a full-size replica of Michelangelo’s famous Renaissance sculpture, David. The replica stands on the campus of the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. It was donated to the university by Thomas Fawick, an inventor and industrialist from Ohio, and was dedicated in 1971.

Michelangelo’s original David is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture, created between 1501 and 1504, and is considered a symbol of strength and youthful beauty. The original statue is housed in the Accademia Gallery in Florence, Italy.

The replica of David in South Dakota is one of several copies of this iconic sculpture located around the world, each serving to bring a piece of Renaissance art and Italian culture to different audiences. It allows people who may not have the opportunity to travel to Italy to experience the grandeur and beauty of Michelangelo’s work first-hand. Such replicas also serve educational purposes, offering art and history students a chance to study the form and significance of one of the world’s most famous sculptures up close.