Matthew Clear

I was born in Manchester in the UK and developed a passion for art, history and culture at an early age. I took a joint degree at Reading University in the History of Art and Architecture, and Italian Studies. I then took a year out and taught languages at the university of ENEP Aragon in Mexico City, which not only fired my interest in Latin American culture but also its Hispanic roots in the Mediterranean world. I pursued my academic career with an MA at the Warburg Institute, London, in Combined Historical Studies and a doctorate at Sussex University in Female Power, Piety and Patronage in the Mediterranean. At Sussex University, I lectured in the fields of art and culture.

My doctoral studies involved long periods of research in Naples, Rome, Paris, Marseilles, Montpellier, Palma and Barcelona. I fell in love with the last city, its language, people and culture, and moved here over five years ago. I've also worked as a cultural tour guide around Europe and a writer and researcher on art historical publications. I guess you could say I'm a European at heart and like nothing more than passing on my knowledge of the continent's rich cultural heritage to students from across the globe.

Resume (PDF file, Size: 12KB)