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The impact of El Greco
José Manso Gómez, Textile and Panel Painting Conservator, 1953-1992The impact of El Greco
José Manso Gómez, Textile and Panel Painting Conservator, 1953-1992
They were bringing El Greco from the place where the exhibition had been held and they went through the hall dedicated to Velázquez. I was right there on the side, and when I saw it coming by it seemed to draw in all the light. It may be true or otherwise, but the fact is it drew in all the light. The painting gave off light, it reflected it. He was one of the greatest painters. Maybe he's done a few bad works, but most of them are so, so good. The colours, the drawings, so clean cut, that is very important, and the colour. He has many great things. Just as good as Velázquez. Not better or worse, because they are different. There are many good painters at the Prado, but it's missing The Burial of the Count of Orgaz. It ought to be in the Museum.
He began to work at the Museum as a carpenter and later, after a while as a gallery attendant, he joined the restoration workshop, carrying out carpentry work which was his specialty. His father also worked at the Museo Nacional del Prado and helped evacuate works of art during the Spanish Civil War.
Interview recorded on February 11, 2015
Interview index
13 / 15-
My father worked at the Prado Museum -
My initiation in woodwork -
Sotomayor proposed that I work in the halls and Sánchez Cantón transferred me to the atelier -
Fernando Álvarez de Sotomayor -
A treasure within a cabinet from Cuba -
1946. placement of a large work by Vicente López on the ceiling -
1961. An attempted robbery -
1994. The Holy Familiy by Sebastiano del Piombo, from the Cathedral of Burgos -
1974. The Portrait of Carmen Martínez-Bordiú, by Salvador Dalí -
Working as a joiner and restitching canvases -
Wooden support. Doing things my way -
Works have a life of their own and they look at you -
The impact of El Greco -
A lot of life in the work done, eight years at the atelier -
Visiting the Museum, before and after
- Collective
- Restoration
- RDF
- RDF
Restoration
Rafael Alonso Alonso
Restorer, 1978-2016
María Teresa Dávila Álvarez
Restorer, 1982-2013
Rocío Dávila Álvarez
Restorer, 1974-2015