Voces del Prado

Relationship with the media

Felipe Garín Llombart, Museum Director, 1991-1993

In my time, the relationship between the Museum and the media was quite subjective. I remember I once commented or complained about the meagre budget we had and it made the front page of a newspaper. That wasn't my intention but at any given act or exhibition, you said hello to the Minister of Finance, mentioning something and next thing you had a phone call from the Minister asking you about your remarks in the media.
On one occasion I complained, I think it was with the Villaescusa legacy, that the Treasury had been particularly harsh and had charged the Prado a significant sum taxing that legacy. And at a press conference I said it was a pity that the Treasury lacked sensitivity regarding that money, which instead of going to the Treasury could have been left at the Prado to be able to buy more works of art.
This created a situation of tension that got out of hand, because everyone looks out for their best interests, but I spoke from the bottom of my heart, and I truly believed that the money should be spent on works for the Prado Museum. It comes in handy to square the Treasury's accounts but they are detracting money that would dearly enhance the Museum.
It's very tough because you're always in the media limelight. Rightly so. The media were particularly sensitive towards anything going on at the Museum.