José Manuel Matilla Rodríguez

HEAD OF CONSERVATION OF DRAWINGS AND ETCHINGS AT THE MUSEO NACIONAL DEL PRADO

José Manuel Matilla Rodríguez has a degree in Geography and History (specialising in History of Art) from the Complutense University of Madrid. Between 1996 and 1998, he was the activity coordinator at the Calcografía Nacional (National Engraving Museum) and became a member of its study bureau in 1998. In 1999, he joined the Prado as a conservator in the Department of Drawings and Etchings and was its Head of Conservation from 2003 to 2015. During his time at the museum, he implemented a comprehensive programme acquiring, studying, publishing and exhibiting Francisco de Goya’s series of etchings, the result of which were the exhibitions dedicated to Los Disparates (Follies) (1999), Caprichos (Whims) (1999-2000), Desastres de la Guerra (Disasters of War) (2001) and Tauromaquia (Bullfighting) (2002-2003).

He has curated many exhibitions and projects, most recently  The Master of Paper. Drawing Books from the Seventeenth to Nineteenth Centuries, in collaboration with María Luisa Cuenca, and Goya. Drawings. “Only my Strength of Will Remains”, working with Manuela Mena (both in 2019).