BARBARA Hepworth’s sculpture Construction (Crucifixion) has started its journey from Salisbury Cathedral to Amsterdam.

The sculpture is on its way to Rijksmuseum Gardens in the Netherlands where it is to be shown in the ninth annual sculpture exhibition devoted to the British sculptor.

The sculpture, which weighs 2.5 tons, is one of an edition of three. The other two are in the United States.

It was lifted on Monday from its current position on the Cathedral’s Cloister Garth over the Cloister wall into the Cathedral Works Yard, then taken by tractor and flatbed out of the Close. The removal was managed by art transportation specialists Mtec.

Finished in 1967, the sculpture was gifted to Salisbury Cathedral in 1969 and has been loaned previously to Portsmouth Cathedral from 1988 to 1997 and then Winchester Cathedral from 1997 to 2017 before returning to Salisbury in 2017.

The Dean of Salisbury, the Very Revd. Nicholas Papadopulos, said: “There is something quite awe-inspiring seeing this compelling 12ft high sculpture soaring through the air with the Cathedral Spire behind it.

"A testament to not just to a ground-breaking 20th century artist, but to Barbara Hepworth’s profound Christian faith. For that reason, amongst others, it is absolutely right that we should share it, particularly in an international exhibition that explores her work during the period that it was made.”

 

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