Handling of a Monumental Dubuffet Sculpture in Luxembourg

Handling of a Monumental Dubuffet Sculpture in Luxembourg

An Exceptional Fine Art Project

The handling of a monumental Dubuffet sculpture in Luxembourg represents a major technical, artistic and logistical challenge. Such an operation requires advanced expertise in monumental artwork handling, combined with exceptional lifting capabilities and meticulous project coordination. Rousselot Handling, a company of Groupe BOVIS, is recognized as a key reference for high-end, turnkey Fine Art handling projects.

A monumental artwork by Jean Dubuffet with exceptional dimensions

The project involved a major artwork by Jean Dubuffet, from the “Contortionist Architectural Elements” series. This monumental sculpture, made of resin, features remarkable dimensions:

• Length: 6.60 meters
• Width: 2.40 meters
• Height: 7.00 meters

Due to its size, weight and, above all, its structural fragility, the artwork required a highly specialized approach combining heavy handling techniques with strict conservation standards.

Relocation of a monumental sculpture in an urban environment in Luxembourg

The mission consisted of relocating a monumental sculpture by Jean Dubuffet between two sites approximately 500 meters apart, within an urban environment in Luxembourg. Despite the short distance, the complexity of the operation lay in the coordination of technical resources, the protection of the artwork and compliance with local regulations.

This turnkey Fine Art handling project was carried out over two days, mobilizing specialized teams, exceptional lifting equipment and high-level logistical planning.

Friday: removal and preparation for exceptional transport

On Friday, Rousselot Handling – Groupe BOVIS teams installed a 130-ton crane to extract the sculpture from its original location.

The operations included:

• Removal of the existing anchoring systems
• Design and execution of a custom-made slinging system, adapted to the fragility of the artwork
• Precise height adjustments using chain hoists, ensuring optimal load distribution
• Fabrication of a dedicated steel frame to secure the sculpture on an exceptional transport convoy

Once the artwork was fully secured, the teams prepared it for transport.

Exceptional transport under escort and artwork protection

On Friday evening, the exceptional convoy departed under escort by the Luxembourg police, ensuring safety and smooth traffic flow in the urban area.

Simultaneously, a 650-ton crane was installed at the destination site overnight in preparation for the final lifting operations. Continuous guarding of the artwork was provided to ensure its protection until installation.

Saturday: lifting and final installation of the sculpture

On Saturday morning, the Fine Art teams carried out the final stages:

• Precise slinging of the sculpture
• Lifting operations using the 650-ton crane
• Placement of the artwork onto its final pedestal
• Welding of the sculpture’s feet to the ground, ensuring long-term stability and compliance with structural requirements

Each step was executed with the utmost care, combining technical precision with absolute respect for the artwork.

Rousselot Handling: an expert in monumental Fine Art handling

This handling of a monumental Dubuffet sculpture in Luxembourg perfectly illustrates the expertise of Rousselot Handling – Groupe BOVIS in the field of monumental artwork handling, both in France and internationally.

Key strengths of Rousselot Handling include:

• Recognized expertise in Fine Art and oversized artworks
• Design of tailor-made technical solutions
• Mastery of very high-capacity crane operations
• Full turnkey project management

• Coordination with local authorities and security services

   

A benchmark project in monumental artwork handling in Luxembourg

The success of this project demonstrates that monumental Fine Art handling cannot be improvised. It requires anticipation, precision, respect for the artwork and operational excellence. Thanks to the expertise of Rousselot Handling – Groupe BOVIS, this iconic sculpture by Jean Dubuffet was relocated and installed safely, in full respect of the artwork and its environment.