How do you safely transport a priceless work of art from Amsterdam to Tokyo? In a specially made Louis Vuitton trunk of course.
True to its passion for creation and strong support of the arts, Louis Vuitton and the Rijksmuseum have teamed up for a VIP transportation of the masterpiece painting The Milkmaid from Amsterdam to the Ueno Royal Museum in Tokyo, Japan.
The Milkmaid, sometimes called The Kitchen Maid, is an oil-on-canvas painting of a “milkmaid“ by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer and is regarded by the Rijksmuseum as one of its most important pieces. Michael Burke, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, said in a statement:
“Louis Vuitton has always supported the greatest pioneers and artists on their travels. A real passion for creation, Louis Vuitton has always supported the arts and cultural heritage. It is an honor for us to design the bespoke case that will transport and protect one of the most famous international masterpieces of all times.”
The trunk, handcrafted in Louis Vuitton’s historic workshops in Asnières, has been meticulously produced to house The Milkmaid painting. Adorned in the iconic Monogram canvas and the signature brass corners and lock. The trunk features personalized hand-painted stripes along with a yellow-coloured interior evoking the main colours of the masterpiece.
Louis Vuitton is the master-packer of some of the most precious items in the world. In 1924, the House made a trunk for René Gimpel, a French art gallerist, enabling him to travel worldwide to present and propose masterpieces to his clients. Since then, Louis Vuitton has been entrusted by clients around the world to transport their art and supplies, creating cases that protect and transport their belongings in the most optimal conditions.
The Milkmaid will be on display in Ueno Royal Museum until February 3 2019.
