Voces del Prado

Retiring at 70

María Merino Cabrera, Clerical Support, 1977-2004

I remember that I have not been able to return in two years. I haven't had the courage to set foot again in the Museum. I retired at the age of 70, I think I was the first person in the Museum to retire at 70. Mr. Zugaza told me, "Who gave you permission to retire?" "Well you're the one who signed it. You shouldn't have done it." I've found out that there are people still working after their age of retirement. When he asked me what I wanted as a farewell gift for my retirement, I answered that I wanted to have a picture with Las Meninas. He said there was no problem at all. He called the photographer Carlos Manso, a cousin of Paco, who was at the Casón at the time, at the photo laboratory, and he had him come to the Villanueva building to take my picture with the painting. I donned my uniform, even though I no longer used it where I was working. They took many pictures and I chose one of them. They gave it to me. That was my little present.