Bovis Fine Art handles and transports a sculpture from the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris
Bovis Fine Art was recently entrusted with a delicate operation of monumental sculpture handling in Paris: the removal of Alexandre Combattant, a marble sculpture by Charles-François Lebœuf-Nanteuil, located in the historic Jardin des Tuileries.
This intervention was part of a broader program for the restoration and conservation of public sculptures in Paris, aimed at preserving these masterpieces, which have been exposed to the elements for over a century. Our unique expertise in fine art transportation, combined with our highly specialized skills in handling monumental works, ensured optimal protection and care for this exceptional piece.
Monumental sculpture handling in the heart of Paris
Alexandre Combattant, carved in marble, is a monumental sculpture that required heavy yet precise handling. Our Bovis Fine Art team managed every step of the operation with exacting precision, while fully respecting the technical, heritage, and environmental constraints of the Jardin des Tuileries.
The removal of the sculpture involved the use of several specialized tools and equipment:
- A crane truck to safely lift the sculpture from its pedestal
- An aerial work platform (nacelle) to allow technicians to access and secure the lifting slings with accuracy
- A custom sling system, designed for stone artworks, ensuring even load distribution
- A bespoke open-frame crate, built by our in-house carpentry workshop, specialized in Fine Art casing solutions
Each stage – from lifting to crating and transport – was performed by our in-house teams, fully trained in monumental artwork handling techniques.
Full-service fine art transport expertise in Paris
With more than 45 years of experience in fine art logistics, Bovis Fine Art is today a leading player in the field in France and abroad.
Our services for handling monumental sculptures include:
- Custom crate manufacturing: open-frame, isothermal, sculpture cases, and more
- Professional packing, compliant with museum standards
- Use of adapted vehicles: climate-controlled trucks, air suspension, tail lifts
- Expertise in complex urban or restricted-access sites
- Complete logistical and administrative support: permits, coordination with local authorities, etc.
Headquartered in the Paris region and equipped with a dedicated secure Fine Art warehouse, our specialized unit manages not only monumental sculpture handling, but also international transport of sensitive works, exhibition logistics, and preventive conservation.
Preserving a fragile cultural heritage
The purpose of this removal operation was to enable the restoration of the sculpture, which had been visibly weathered by time and climate. After more than 150 years exposed to the elements in the Tuileries Garden, Alexandre Combattant showed signs of structural degradation.
Thanks to our intervention, the sculpture was safely removed and relocated to a suitable conservation environment, paving the way for careful restoration and museum-standard preservation. With this project, Bovis Fine Art actively contributes to the protection and transmission of France’s artistic heritage.
About the artwork: Alexandre Combattant by Charles-François Lebœuf-Nanteuil
Sculpted in 1836 by Charles-François Lebœuf-Nanteuil (1792–1865), Alexandre Combattant is a marble statue representing Alexander the Great in a dynamic combat pose, sword raised (now lost). This heroic figure reflects the neoclassical idealism and the 19th-century fascination with Greco-Roman models.
Installed in the Grand Carré of the Jardin des Tuileries, the sculpture was part of a decorative program commissioned to enrich the Louvre’s gardens, as the museum was being transformed into a major public institution. With its rigorous academic style, Alexandre Combattant embodies the legacy of monumental French sculpture.
For any request regarding sculpture handling in Paris, monumental artwork transportation, or museum logistics, the Bovis Fine Art experts are here to assist you.
Photo Credits: Samia Abderrahmani for Bovis Fine Art
