Final answer:
The statue is moved for cleaning primarily to protect it from damage. This conservation process involves maintenance to ensure the statue's preservation and is not necessarily linked to the intentions of displaying it elsewhere, transporting to a museum, or selling it.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of moving a statue for cleaning is primarily to protect the statue from damage. Cleaning is a routine part of conserving and maintaining artworks, including statues, to ensure their longevity and preservation. Statues can accumulate dirt, pollution, or biological growth that can damage their surfaces over time. Regular cleaning can prevent such damages and is essential for the preservation of the statue. The process may also involve removing the statue from areas where it might be at risk, such as environments with high pollution levels or potential physical disturbances, and placing it in a controlled environment during the cleaning process.
Within the context of art history, statues have had various functions beyond display, such as being part of religious rituals or serving as grave markers. The act of moving a statue, as mentioned in the question, does not always imply intentions like displaying it in a different location, transporting it to a museum, or selling it to a collector. The focus of the question is on the context of cleaning and maintenance. It's important to understand that statues are often moved and restored to aid in their conservation, which can include cleaning, repairing, or reconstructing parts that have been damaged.