Voces del Prado

Manuela Mena, crystal clear

Alicia Quintana Martínez, Head of the Education Service, 1983-2007

I remember Manuela Mena was really down, I found it quite impressive when I saw her there in her office. The two of us had gone to lunch together, and Alfonso had gone to Toledo to give a lecture. We returned and she had to receive people in connection with Las Meninas, following the cleaning process, because she was the one who spoke impeccable English. She was really suffering the strain. It was the only time I remember seeing her look really worn out. So I tried cheering her up. "If it helps any, I love you a great deal." She cracked up laughing and seemed to cheer up.
Everything she said, everything she spoke about, all the things she wrote, I think it's all very important, essential. When she and another specialist on Goya said that The Colossus was not painted by Goya, the whole country was outraged, and I said, "I don't know enough to give an opinion, but if Manuela and Juliette Wilson said that it's not by Goya, then it's not by Goya." She had a clinical eye. I find the things she has written are essential, and the courses for teachers. I felt as if at the same time she was teaching another course, I would have liked to have attended her classes. She made everything crystal clear. I really like Manuela, the thing is she's so serious. With Alfonso you could tell a joke or two. Manuela is so serious, always deep into her thoughts and focused on what she's doing.