Nine 'moment in history' photos capture workers removing artwork ahead of Sheffield Graves Gallery move

This was the moment art treasures from some of the most famous painters in history were packed up and moved from their historic Sheffield setting.

Workers packed away works from a collection that includes masterpieces by such names as Cézanne, Turner, and Hockney, before putting them into secure storage, as the Graves Art Gallery is closed for the first time in its 92 year history.

A spokesman for Sheffield Museums said: “The loss of the Gallery has been felt deeply by many of our visitors and staff, but the move is an important step in safeguarding the city’s art collection for the future.”

The collection is having to be moved after the 1930s heating system at the gallery failed.

The gallery is within the Sheffield Library building on Surrey Street, and the 245 works of art have to be removed before further investigations to find out the problem can be carried out.

Moving art works is no easy feat at the best of times, but the number of works to be packed and the looming deadline meant extra pressure.

They found 25 artworks were too large for the lift and had to be carried carefully down all six flights of the main staircase. Some, including works by Turner and Riley, required eight art handlers to lift them.

The spokesman added: “This has been a challenging piece of work and although it’s been sad to see the works coming off display, we hope you’ll be pleased to see how carefully they are being looked after so that they can inspire generations to come.

“We hope to be able to display many more of these artworks in our new temporary space in the Heart of the City when it opens next year.”

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