The extraordinary St. Francis in the Portiuncula Chapel by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, created around 1665-1666 on canvas, is the largest painting of the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in Cologne - measuring 430 cm in height and 295 cm in width.
Crown Fine Art was responsible for the complete logistics, packaging and international transport of this large-scale work from the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in Cologne to the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla in Spain, to mark the 400 year celebrations of Murillo born in Seville in 1617.
The centrepiece of the Museo de Bellas Artes de Sevilla exhibition, Crown Fine Art advised on the planning and execution of the project, creating a custom-made crate to accommodate the work transported from the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum in several assemblies. The project and installation were technically and logistically complex requiring unusual solutions, including a special de-installation at the Wallraf-Richartz-Museum. The 600 kg crate and large scale work were challenged by the window of the museum with smaller dimensions than that of the work, requiring technical expertise to move the work accurately at an angle and with the help of a 100 tonne crane and special crane platform.
The road transport of 2300 km was then carried out in our specialist fine art, temperature controlled truck accommodating the work with the internal height of 370 cm. In addition to the increased height of the specialist trucks, we ensured the safe transport of the work on its journey through air suspension, air conditioning, humidity control, alarm systems, cameras and GPS control. Crown Fine Art successfully coordinated the smooth installation of the artwork at its destination in readiness for opening.