Voces del Prado

A Tremendous Pair: Pérez Sánchez and Manuela Mena

Rafael Alonso Alonso, Restorer, 1978-2016

They made a tremendous pair, combining considerable knowledge with great lucidity. I remember that when Manuela Mena came to the Restoration Workshop she said, “I don’t know anything about this because I’ve just arrived, but I’m going to learn from you”. She had a marvellously positive attitude. And Manuela Mena learned a great deal about restoration. With great endeavour and integrity, she fought for us restorers and for the workshop. They called her to testify in trials due to matters relating to our contracts, and other things like that. She is also a woman who possesses a far-reaching knowledge. For me, they are two key figures, not only because they know about paintings, history and literature, but because they are also able to link everything together. You hear a conference delivered by Manuela and she doesn’t just talk about one Goya painting, but about so many different things that it’s truly admirable. Nevertheless, she has her temperament and I have mine. We’ve had some tense moments. There have been moments when we haven’t liked each other much and others in which we have argued, but always from a professional point of view, demanding a great deal from ourselves. I consider both of them to be points of reference, key figures for the Museo del Prado and for the Restoration Workshop. These two people have been a key influence on my life.