Stage 3 - Transit and display

The initial work at Queens Park conservation studios had returned The Sirens and Ulysses to a stable condition. However, the scale of work required and the sheer size of the painting meant that further restoration could not happen in the studios. So we moved the painting to Manchester Art Gallery for further treatment. Moving large artworks can be difficult and, although the painting had been stabilised, it was still vulnerable to damage.

Moving the rolled canvas into the gallery

17.Taking the painting to Manchester Art Gallery

The rolled painting is carefully manoeuvred from the Queens Park studio into a large air-ride lorry and secured. On arrival at Manchester Art Gallery it is placed in the large art lift and transported to the first floor of the gallery.

18. Moving the painting through the galleries

The size of the painting makes it very difficult to negotiate a route through the gallery, but it is finally delivered without incident to Gallery 9, where it is unrolled and secured around the stretcher framework.

19. Installing the painting in G9 - press day

The painting is carefully lifted and hung on the wall within the conservation space, as members of the press and gallery staff look on. The remaining wax-resin facing is removed.