The MFA's European paintings collection is acknowledged to be one of the strongest in North America, with especially deep holdings in Italian gold-ground works, seventeenth-century Dutch paintings, and nineteenth-century French pictures.
The Art of Europe department seeks a volunteer intern who wishes a deeper familiarity with this important paintings collection and the research tasks of a curator. Working under the curator of paintings, the research intern will have an opportunity to learn first-hand both about museum work and individual paintings in this major collection. Interns will receive training, tours of libraries and archives, and database orientation. Interns can also expect to refine their research skills. Interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities throughout the MFA. Successful candidates will be mature, detail-oriented, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and have a demonstrated interest in museum work.
Responsibilities:
• Sorting and organizing paper records in European paintings files
• Augmenting files with new research conducted in art history libraries
• Reconciling this information with that in the MFA collections database
• Assisting with daily tasks
Requirements:
• Enrollment in, or recent completion of, a graduate program in art history
• Substantial experience using libraries to research European art
• Reading knowledge of at least one non-English European language
• Interest in an area from medieval through early twentieth-century European paintings; applicants interested and/or knowledgeable in Dutch art of the seventeenth century are particularly encouraged to apply
• Ability to commit to a regular schedule that will total a minimum of 200 hours (in one or over 2-3 semesters)
• Ability to attend orientation on either Tues, May 28 (9am-12pm) or Tues, June 11 (9am-12pm)
*Applications will be evaluated as they are received. Ideally, start and end dates will reflect the standard Fall / Winter-Spring / Summer intern schedule, but they might be flexible depending on intern availability or department need.