I also prepared paintings for loan to exhibitions, for example a 13th Century Altar frontal. The thick wood and gesso frame attached to the panel painting required the most attention. I first consolidated its lifting and flaking paint with animal glue. Next, I cleaned the surface with an aqueous cleaning solution, followed by clearing the surface with de-ionized water. Finally, minimal retouching was completed in watercolors to close distracting abrasions in the figure of Joseph, on the right side of the painting. In only two short days, the painting was ready for art handlers to begin packing. In addition to this work, I completed the treatment of The Fall of Phaeton by Jan Carel van Eyck.

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Aside from my hands-on training, I was able to benefit from the Prado’s position as a research institution and attended seminars and lectures with leading international scholars. Conversations with Alejandro Vergara, the Prado’s Chief Curator of Flemish and Northern Schools, have informed the direction of my M.A. Art History Thesis. During my internship, I spent extra time in the galleries getting to know the Prado’s collection and was able to visit many other museums and heritage sites throughout Spain.