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My name is José María Luzón. When I came to the Museum I was peacefully working as a professor at the Complutense University. I came here for two years, from 1994 to 1996. What did I do? I did what I could.
I never thought I would become and never entertained aspirations of being the director of the Prado Museum. The previous director had resigned. The undersecretary called me to ask me to suggest a name or two: “You who have worked with the Director General.” I gave him two or three names and he said, “Fine, take down this number and call tomorrow,” he gave me a number and I left. Next morning I called that number and the Minister answered. Carmen Alborch was the minister of Culture, and the one who had called me the day before was the Undersecretary, Linde. I didn't know that he had given me the Minister's direct number, and I said, “Well, minister, I've been thinking and I have a few names who could do a good job as director of the Museum.” I told her one and she answered, “No, he's going to the Reina Sofía”. she didn't mention him afterwards. “I've thought about you”. “No, no. Not at all”. “Yes, besides, the Trust is meeting now and I want to tender your name”. “At least give me some time to think it over,” I told her.
At the time there were no cell phones, or at least I didn't have one, so I was calling from a phone booth in Atocha. I had put in 10 pesetas, they ran out and the line went dead. When I arrived home, I found the EFE Agency and a bunch of journalists asking about my conditions for accepting the post of director of the Prado. What was my program for the Museum. I couldn't believe it.
That's how I was appointed.
Professor of Archaeology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. Director of the Museo del Prado and the Museo Arqueológico Nacional, Managing Director of the Bellas Artes y Archivos and permanent member of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando.
Interview recorded on June 13, 2018
