Transporting an artwork means responding to a series of technical, logistical and bureaucratic fulfilments that begin with a careful intake investigation of the work, in its physical and material components.

The diagnostic study includes:

• The evaluation of the microclimatic conditions of the original exhibition site
• The study of the conditions of the support, of the colors and of the frames
• The analysis of crates and packaging
• The resistance of the work to mechanical stress that can occur during transport (twisting, impact, jolt)

This is why specialized companies guarantee the transport conditions of a work “in a workmanlike manner”, even for long journeys in inaccessible and climatically extreme areas, from glacial to tropical desert areas.

Nothing can be left to chance, improvised or managed by staff and companies that cannot guarantee specialized transport standards for art.

After passing the analyzes, the works travel by land, by sea or by air, depending on their nature, in cases and packaging, often specially made, which have different characteristics and can be standard, air-conditioned, fireproof or for sculptures; so also the packaging, therefore the internal materials in direct contact with the work, will be of different types such as soft, semi-rigid or rigid.

The transport conditions of the work, as well as the type of packaging to be adopted, must be recorded in the Condition Report, a document prepared by an expert restorer, who certifies the state of conservation of the work of art which accompanies all the photographic material of the report object.

Furthermore, in the transport phase, the professional in charge must be in possession of the DDT, Transport Document, which will contain all the details of the movement, such as the identification data of the carrier, the sender and the recipient, as well as an indication of quantity, dimensions , weights and nature of the boxes transported.

And you, are you ready to find out how to transport an artwork?