Art Handling Manual

Introduction

The National Gallery’s art handling department exists to provide the necessary technical support to the display of this major collection. We work closely with all the gallery’s departments but have a particularly strong relationship with conservation, curatorial, collections registrars, exhibitions, framing and imaging. Our role is to help realise the goals of the gallery by taking responsibility for all aspects of installation, transportation, preparation, storage and manual handling of the collection at the gallery.

In carrying out our work, our remit is to follow the highest standard of care for the collection. As a principal, the department is considered as an arm of conservation and our activity is informed by all current conservation recommendations. Our primary aim is to successfully carry out our tasks by first fully considering the reduction or elimination of risk to the objects in our care.

To organise our work, we have created a system of classification. This has allowed us to develop processes and procedures that can be measured and assessed. As part of this approach, we have also developed our own specialised equipment and hanging systems unique to The National Gallery. Within the department, we continue to look to improve our methods and take a keen interest in the work of other teams within our field, with the intention of informing our own ideas.

We also feel it is our responsibility to promote the work of art handling outside of our environment. This includes cultivating contacts within the area by exchanging ideas and developing training opportunities that we can both participate in and deliver.

The art handling department occupies a significant, practical role within the life of The National Gallery. By developing and promoting an environment of care and innovation within our discipline, we aim to ensure the conservation and preservation of the national’s collection, allowing it to continue to be enjoyed as intended.

Patrick O’Sullivan, Head of Art Handling

Highlighted Project

Installation of NG1 The Raising of Lazarus by Sebastiano del Piombo
incorporating designs by Michelangelo in Gallery 32

The Team

This opening category include history of the department, current job descriptions, organisation chart and then profile of staff; past and present

The Collection

This category describes the colour category system. This followed by description of each category including equipment associated with it and how to use it. Then complicated / bespoke examples (NG6337 Leonardo Cartoon) and finally how to prepare the collection for loan. This will include all the casing stuff plus a description of the relationship with KSL.

Administration Processes

This category describes; the way we receive requests, the art handling calendar, forward plan, TMS, loans, exhibitions, salvage committee and GDPR.

Health and Safety

This category deals with the relevant legislation applying to the Department, examples of documentation such as risk assessments and our training responsibilities. The chapter also gives a summary of the changes in our working practices as a direct result of Health and Safety Legislation.

Business Continuity and Salvage

This category will include our role as a department, our training programs equipment etc. possible include some action examples (water ingress)