19th Century European Paintings Research Graduate Intern
About The Position
This is a two-semester-long internship. The MFA's European paintings collection is acknowledged as 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, including one of the largest collections of works by Claude Monet outside of France. The Art of Europe department seeks a graduate intern who wishes a deeper familiarity with this important paintings collection and the research tasks of a curator. Working with the William and Ann Elfers Curator of Paintings, the graduate research intern will undertake specific research connected to major upcoming exhibitions focused on Renoir and Degas, as well as areas of the permanent collection. Interns will receive training and can expect to refine their research skills. Interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities. In addition to the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course, interns will be included in behind-the-scenes visits and learning opportunities organized by the Art of Europe.
Requirements
- Enrollment in, or recent completion, (i.e., within last two years), of an M.A. or Ph.D. graduate program in art history
- Academic background in Renoir, Degas, or late 19th-century French art
- Substantial experience using libraries to research European art.
- Reading knowledge of at least one non-English European language, preferably French
- Ability to work onsite 20 hours per week, within Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm parameters, between September 11, 2026 – May 14, 2027.
- Ability to attend orientation on Fri, Sept 11, 2026, 10am to 3:30pm.
Nice To Haves
- Mature, detail-oriented, able to work independently, adept with technology and administrative tasks, and will have a demonstrated interest in curatorial work.
- Foreign language skills and proficiency
- Knowledge of French language and art history is preferred.
Responsibilities
- Undertaking library research related to upcoming exhibitions and publications on Renoir, Degas, and other Impressionist/Modern projects, including preparation of research summaries, tracking down sources online or in libraries.
- Researching potential loans from other institutions via databases and publications
- Compiling bibliographies and gathering resources on particular artists or themes related to exhibitions and the accompanying publications.
- Updating the working checklists for upcoming exhibitions and installations in the form of PowerPoints and database records
- Augmenting curatorial object files with new research conducted in art history libraries, including the compilation of bibliographies and exhibition histories on 19th century paintings in the collection.
- Reconciling bibliographies and exhibition histories with that in the MFA collections database
- Ensuring complete and accurate documentation in hard copy and electronic formats
- Translating research texts into English
- Learning about and assisting with daily tasks, both research and clerical
- Prepare and offer a 3–5-minute final synoptic presentation of the internship as part of the Museum Pathways & Practices professional development course.
Benefits
- $19.95 per hour
- $90 per month transportation subsidy which is subject to tax withholdings.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Part-time
Career Level
Intern
