The Museum of Fine Arts is planning a major exhibition on the Spanish artist Francisco Goya (1746–1828), opening in October 2014. Building on a core of some 60 works in the MFA’s collection, the international loan exhibition will also include many loans of important paintings, drawings, and prints from distinguished European and American museums and private collections. This will be the largest Goya exhibition in North America in twenty-five years. An accompanying catalogue, with contributions from renowned scholars, is also planned.
The exhibition, which is organized by both the Art of Europe department and the department of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs, seeks a graduate-level research intern to assist with aspects of the scholarly preparation of the exhibition. Working under the curator of paintings, this intern will have an opportunity to learn first-hand about curatorial careers, exhibition planning, and above all the scholarly literature on this highly significant artist. The intern will receive training, tours of libraries and archives, and database orientation. The intern will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities throughout the MFA. Successful candidates will be mature, have demonstrated skill at library and art historical research in the Spanish language, be systematic in documentation, and enjoy tracking down bibliography and solving specific research questions.
Responsibilities:
• Library research on Goya paintings, drawings, prints, historical events and context,
biographies of portrait sitters, etc.
• Preparation of research summaries
• Compilation and editing of bibliographies, tracking down sources online or in libraries
• Translation and summary of selected Spanish-language texts into English
• Ensure complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats
• Through library research, augment and refine European paintings files for the MFA’s permanent collection of Spanish paintings as time allows
• Learn about and assist with daily tasks
Requirements:
• Enrollment in, or recent completion of, a graduate program in art history
• Substantial experience using libraries to research European art, particularly Spanish art
• Excellent reading knowledge of Spanish and aptitude for translation into English
• Ability to attend orientation on either Wed, Sept 18 (6pm) or Wed, Oct 2 (10am or 6pm)
• Ability to commit to a regular schedule that will total a minimum of 200 hours over one or two semesters