Voces del Prado

Retirement

María Teresa González Escolar, General Services Assistant, 1990-2013

I took partial retirement, which I was allowed to as I was looking after my disabled sister. It suited me really well. I started to come for less time and then each time a bit less, just a month or a month and a half, which went on for four years. When I was 64 they told me I could retire completely and I said yes. So we left, Jesús and I, at the same time, as he’s just over three years younger than me. So we retired at the same time. I can’t specifically remember the last day as I wasn’t coming much so it was as if I didn’t have to go as I had a day off, and that was it.
What we miss from the job is the paintings and we come for the temporary exhibitions and now and to see the Museum. But when I’ve got more time we’ll come more, I imagine. The Museum is fundamental and it’s a pleasure to visit, as is going to all the exhibitions now on in Madrid, which we also go to. When we come to the Museum the first thing we see are the temporary exhibitions and then, if there’s time, we take a look at the new acquisitions and we go and see this or that particular painting by Velázquez. But mainly at the moment we go to the temporary exhibitions.
It’s been a pleasure to be at the Prado all these years. I’ll continue visiting until I die and I’m really happy to have worked here. In all senses. For me it’s been a source of knowledge. It’s been fantastic. I’m also happy that as we were both able to work it’s been a help to the family, to my children, who’ve been able to study everything they wanted. I could have continued with teaching but circumstances change your life. That’s the way it was and I’m happy it’s been like that. It’s been great and a great pleasure.