Voces del Prado

The Prado. A turning point in one's life

Felipe Garín Llombart, Museum Director, 1991-1993

There are facts that mark an individual's life, for instance the life of a child at a personal level. Being the Director of the Museum el Prado is not just another event in your career. For 20 to 24 years I was the Director of the Museum of Valencia, at a young age I was a lecturer at the university, I enjoy teaching in a classroom, I have been a curator at over two hundred exhibitions, but being the Director of the Prado Museum gives me the chills when I think of it. Normally you are dedicated to the task enthusiastically, with all your know-how, with all your heart, and then you feel overwhelmed when you look back at what you have done, and it's something you'll never forget.
I resigned in October 1993. I remember it clearly because it was my 50th birthday. I remember that. My children gave me a watch and I left the Prado Museum. There was an issue with leaks at the Prado Museum and I think it was the excuse to be able to change the Director. That very day I arrived at work, said "good morning", and although I hadn't told anybody I had decided to resign, and I explained it to the Minister, without any tension, I mean. It was an important stage that I was closing. I went back to teaching and that was it.
I don't know how to explain it. One comes to the Prado because it's like coming home, and that's important because it's an indication that it is an institution that overcomes you, not only physically but also professionally, and I would say that it even gets to your guts. You come to the Prado Museum and here you are. When you are fortunate enough to be the Director, you're here and don't think about it, because if you thought it over seriously you wouldn't dare to come in every day to direct one of the most emblematic institutions of Spain and the world. It marks you even if you don't want it to. It has marked me permanently.