A Spanish woman who became famous after she botched a restoration of a fresco painting of Jesus Christ has died.
Cecilia Gimenez, 94, made headlines in 2012 after she tried to restore the famous ‘Ecce Homo’ painting by Elias Garcia Martinez in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy church in Borja, northeastern Spain.
Her restoration, however, was mockingly dubbed ‘Monkey Christ’ as her brushwork completely obliterated the face of Jesus, transforming the painting into what locals described as more like a hedgehog or hairy monkey.
Her infamous restoration even went on to become a meme, and saw the once quiet town of Borja quickly become a tourist destination.
Ms Gimenez’s death was confirmed by Borja’s mayor, Eduardo Arilla, in a Facebook post, in which he wrote: ‘Rest in peace Cecilia, we will always remember you’.
He hailed her as a ‘great lover of painting from a young age’ and paid tribute to her ‘famous restoration of Ecce Homo’ in August 2012, which ‘due to the poor state of conservation it presented, Cecilia, with the best intentions, decided to repaint the work over’.
She was also praised for her generosity and years of dedication to the church.
Ms Gimenez’s restoration at the time sparked debates about amateur restoration and cultural heritage preservation.
Her work was criticised on social media, mocked on late night television shows and covered by international news outlets.
Ms Gimenez went on to apologise for her restoration, but following the backlash and media attention, her work became a pop icon and one of the main attractions in Borja.
Money raised from ticket sales has since gone entirely to the Sanctuary of Mercy Foundation to improve its facilities and to help its elderly residents.
Before her death, Ms Gimenez had been living in the Sanctuary of Mercy Foundation’s affiliated nursing home. She is survived by one son.
The fresco, which depicts Jesus crowned with thorns, was painted around 1930 by painter Elías García Martínez.
The work was intended as a devotional piece for the Sanctuary of Mercy, but over the years the painting suffered from humidity, resulting in paint flaking.
Although it was an understated, locally appreciated work of art, Ms Gimenez’s viral restoration put the painting on the map.
