What’s happening to the museum? Core collection getting sent off while slated for being in a show at the Glass Pavilion and the Cloisters getting dismantled — a total shock and all at once!
On January 30, 2025 the museum announced on Facebook that it would be closing the Cloisters on February 2, until 2027. You had to dig into the comments to find out that they plan to dismantle it and move it three galleries over to the location of the Wolfe Gallery, that they would tear apart after they just built it 13 years ago with a $2 million donation from Mary and Fritz Wolfe, who have since passed away.
The Cloisters at the Toledo Museum of Art was a gift of Edward Drummond Libbey.
Although it underwent an expensive and extensive restoration and renovation three years ago, now the museum plans to move it a few galleries over. It is now closed until sometime in 2027.
Relocating the Cloisters requires careful planning, engineering expertise, conservation efforts, and logistical coordination. It will be a massive undertaking with risks to the artifacts’ preservation and historical integrity. It will cost millions of dollars.
WHY and WHAT FOR?
The Cloisters gallery was carefully assembled to recreate the feeling of a medieval monastery using authentic architectural elements, including the columns, capitals, and arches. These pieces were salvaged from European sites and brought to Toledo, where they were integrated into a new, custom-designed space.
The columns, capitals, and arches were sourced from various medieval sites in Europe. Dating from the 12th to 15th century, two different rows of columns representing the Romanesque era came from Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France near the Pyrenees. One from the Benedictine monastery of Saint-Pons-de-Thomieres, and another from the monastic priority of Espira-de-l’Agley. Another came from the late Middle Ages, the Gothic style from the cloister of Notre-Dame-de-Pontaut, a Cistercian monastery in southwestern France.
Ninety five years ago, the Toledo Museum of Art’s curators created a floor plan and structural layout that would allow the columns to be displayed in an authentic-looking cloister setting. The arrangement richly evokes a medieval monastery cloister, where arcaded walkways surrounded an open courtyard.
Since the columns were not originally designed for this space, engineers reinforced them with modern supports. Some columns may have been cut, restored, or modified to fit the proportions of the museum. The stone elements were mounted on modern bases to provide stability.
Each column was positioned carefully to align with the capitals and arches above. The museum likely used mortar and hidden steel reinforcements to secure them while maintaining an authentic historical appearance.
The surrounding stonework and flooring were designed to blend with the medieval elements, enhancing the historic ambiance. Lighting and display techniques were added to highlight the carvings and textures of the ancient stone.
The wishing well, a central feature of the Cloisters, was also a salvaged artifact. In medieval cloisters, wells were essential for water collection and often had religious or symbolic significance. It was installed as a focal point, inviting visitors to interact with the space in a contemplative way.
What the move will be like
Moving the Cloisters at the Toledo Museum of Art would be a complex and delicate process due to the historical, structural, and logistical challenges involved.
The columns, capitals, and arches are centuries old and made of fragile stone, which may have cracks or weaknesses from age. Disassembling them could risk damage or breakage, especially since they were modified and reinforced when installed in the museum. The hidden supports and reinforcements that stabilize the structure may make removal difficult without causing unintended damage.
The solution to that is to conduct a structural assessment using 3D scanning and imaging technology, carefully documenting how the pieces were assembled before dismantling. They need expert stone conservators to ensure safe handling.
The columns and arches are made of heavy stone, which requires specialized lifting equipment and precise handling. Moving them intact would need custom crating and heavy-duty transport methods.
They will need to use cranes, forklifts, and specially designed supports for moving and reinforce fragile parts with protective padding and structural braces.
Each column, arch, and capital fits together in a specific way. If pieces are lost or damaged, it could compromise the historical accuracy of the reassembled cloister. The original mortar and reinforcement materials may not be reusable, requiring careful restoration.
They will need to create a detailed reconstruction map of how each piece fits together, label each piece precisely before removal, and consult architectural historians to ensure the authenticity of the reconstruction.
Changes in temperature, humidity, and lighting at a new location could accelerate the degradation of the stone. Moving might expose the artifacts to vibrations, pollutants, or handling-related damage. They will need to maintain climate-controlled storage and moving conditions.
The cost will be well into the millions.
- Pre-Move Planning & Conservation ($100,000 – $500,000)
- Structural analysis and 3D scanning.
- Conservation assessment and documentation.
- Expert consulting fees (architects, historians, and conservators).
- Dismantling & Packing ($500,000 – $2 Million)
- Careful removal of stone columns, arches, and decorative elements.
- Custom crating and reinforcement for transport.
- Specialized labor (stone masons, engineers, museum professionals).
- Transportation & Insurance ($250,000 – $1 Million)
- Secure climate-controlled shipping.
- Heavy machinery for lifting and transport.
- Insurance coverage for high-value historic artifacts.
- Site Preparation & Reconstruction ($1 Million – $5 Million)
- Preparing the new site (foundation, structural supports).
- Reassembling pieces using conservation-appropriate materials.
- Custom lighting, climate control, and visitor accessibility adjustments.
- Contingency & Unexpected Costs ($500,000 – $1 Million)
- Unforeseen damage or repairs.
- Additional permits, legal fees, or repatriation claims.
- Extended project timeline costs.
Total Estimated Cost: $2.5 Million – $10 Million+
WHY?
WHAT FOR?
read more about the dismantling of the Toledo Museum of Art here:
February 6, 2025 update BREAKING NEWS from Down Under —
TMA lending 57 artworks to Auckland Art Gallery in New Zealand. My letter sent to Ohio Attorney General Charitable Law Section urging an investigation:
Urgent Follow-Up: Reckless Disposition of TMA’s Core Art Collection