The University of Alicante (UA), through its Orihuela University Venue and the Archbishop Loazes Chair, is hosting a cultural conference series titled “The Museo Nacional del Prado in Orihuela: restoration, conservation, and deposits.” This initiative aims to provide the public with insights into the work of specialists from one of the world’s leading art galleries.
The programme will take place from 15 October to 17 November at the Biblioteca Pública y Archivo Histórico Fernando de Loazes in Orihuela, with sessions scheduled for 19:00 each day. Coordinated by Luz Pérez Torres, the head of Deposits at the Museo Nacional del Prado, the series seeks to engage the public with various aspects of restoration, conservation, and the management of artistic deposits.
Four lectures will be delivered by Prado professionals, offering updated perspectives on these disciplines and showcasing techniques, studies, and procedures that help preserve artistic heritage. The initiative is aimed at researchers and anyone interested in the cultural heritage of the Alicante province.
The programme will cover topics such as the history of the Prado's deposits in Orihuela, technical studies conducted on “The Temptation of Saint Thomas Aquinas” (known as “El Velázquez de Orihuela”), challenges in the conservation and transportation of panel paintings, and the cleaning processes for artworks.
The series will be introduced by Maribel Peñalver Vicea, director of the Orihuela University Venue, and the inaugural event will feature a musical performance by SonusEvents.
The first conference will take place on Thursday, 15 October, at 19:00, titled “The Museo Nacional del Prado in Orihuela: A history of historical and current deposits,” presented by Luz Pérez Torres. On Thursday, 22 October, Jaime García-Máiquez López, a technician from the Technical Documentation Cabinet of the Museo Nacional del Prado, will present “By the power of art: The Velázquez of Orihuela in light of the technical studies of the Museo Nacional del Prado.” The third lecture will be held on Thursday, 29 October, featuring José de la Fuente Martínez, a restorer at the Museo Nacional del Prado, who will discuss “Interventions in panel paintings: their issues, conservation, and transportation.” The series will conclude on Tuesday, 17 November, with Eva Martínez Morales, a painting restorer at the Museo Nacional del Prado, presenting “The cleaning process of a painting: theoretical and practical issues.”
