Voces del Prado

The Museum must create the means of gaining access to the works of art

Philippe de Montebello, Honorary Trustee, 1978-What's on

The public is a word; it’s not something real. What is the public? Everybody sees things differently. Their level of education has an influence, as does their attitude in general towards things. In this respect, what the museum must do – and what the Prado does very well – is to create the keys to facilitating access to the works. You always have to approach things in a way that intrigues a highly diverse public. Everyone is looking for different things and responds to the works in a different way. I might spend time just standing in front of Antonello da Messina’s Christ with Two Angels, whilst others may just glance at it and move on. You can choose to walk rapidly or slowly. I don’t care. It’s your choice. The halls are there. The works are hung and what the public does is their privilege. In my opinion, the museum should not always dictate the way things are done, but, based on the way things are set up, it must facilitate the many and varied ways in which the works can be experienced.