As fun and exciting as it may all sound, a lot of planning and work happens behind the scenes to prepare for sending a work of art on the road. Back in October 2008, I was removed from my comfortable spot in the gallery and moved to the Museum’s conservation lab. While in the lab, the conservators did a very thorough job of examining me from top to bottom. I couldn’t be modest during this process—the conservators wanted to make sure that I was in good enough shape to withstand vigorous travel. I also had a fitting for my crate—it was built specifically to transport me from one venue to another. Crates are built to be super sturdy and protect works of art as they travel. The carpenters try to make it as comfortable as possible with extra foam padding, but it is not fun to be boxed up in the dark for a long time.

After much anticipation on my part, I was finally secured in my crate, the lid was screwed on, and I was on my way to my first stop—Washington, D.C. The ride was a little bumpy and I was relieved when I arrived at the National Gallery of Art. When the art handlers were ready to install me, they unscrewed my lid and took me out of my crate.  Before I could be hung on the wall, the conservators looked me over again to make sure I didn’t get any bumps or bruises on the road trip.  After a thumbs-up, I was hung on the wall with the other paintings. After a few deep breaths, I slowly relaxed and was able to take in the scenery. WOW—I recognized so many old friends from my artist’s studio even though it had been hundreds of years since I had seen them.  What fun it was to be reunited with them for this exciting journey!

This post is part of the series Follow Our Journey. Follow The Feast of Esther and six other works of art on the Big Move to the Museum’s new building.

Jan Lievens, The Feast of Esther, circa 1625–26, oil on canvas, 53 x 65 in., Purchased with funds from the State of North Carolina

Has there been a time in your life when you were so excited to go on vacation and then after a while were just ready to get back home? Well, that’s exactly how I was feeling. In October 2008, I embarked on a new and exciting journey—but now I am certainly ready to go home. Don’t get me wrong—I was thrilled to return to the homeland, visit new places, and see lots of interesting people, but North Carolina is where I belong.

Let me back up a bit and start at the beginning. I was hanging peacefully in my usual spot when my day was totally thrown into chaos. I was told that I was leaving for a trip, and for almost a year I have been traveling with an exhibition—Jan Lievens: A Dutch Master Rediscovered. My first stop was the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. Then I made my way a bit west to the Milwaukee Art Museum. The last leg of my journey took me across the ocean to the Rembrandt House in Amsterdam. So many visitors looking at me and me looking out at new and different faces and spaces was a thrill. Now that the trip has come to an end, one of my caretakers from home has come to pick me up. She’ll travel with me the whole way and ensure my safe arrival in Raleigh.

Stay tuned…I’ll let you know how the journey home went.

This post is part of the series Follow Our Journey. Follow The Feast of Esther and six other works of art on the Big Move to the Museum’s new building.