Spanish-born Parishioner Who Gained Notoriety for Botching a Prized Fresco Restoration Has Died at the Age of 94
The Spanish parishioner who achieved global fame for her poorly executed restoration attempt on a valuable religious painting has passed away at the age 94.
The woman, from the town of Borja in northern Spain, became a global sensation 13 years ago after she undertook to restore a 100-year-old painting titled Ecce Homo located in her local church.
Giménez's handiwork spread across the internet and earned the moniker "Potato Jesus", largely due to the altered likeness of Christ's head bearing a resemblance to a furry primate.
Local Announcement and Homage
The nonagenarian's death was confirmed by Borja's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, via an online statement, where he acknowledged her as a "passionate lover of painting from a young age".
"Rest in peace Cecilia, your memory will live on with us," the mayor posted.
Arilla further referenced Giménez's "now-legendary restoration of Ecce Homo" in the summer of 2012, which "due to the poor state of conservation it was in, Cecilia, with the best intentions, chose to apply new paint over the original".
The Artwork's Background and the Now-Infamous Act
The Ecce Homo ("This is the Man" in Latin) by 19th century painter Elias Garcia Martinez had been held for more than a hundred years in the Santuario de la Misericordia near Zaragoza.
In 2012, Giménez, who was 81 years old, stated that church members had "traditionally fixed everything here", and that she had received permission from the parish priest to do the work.
She added at the time that anybody who came into the Church would have observed she was painting over the original artwork.
A Surprising Tourist Boom
The impact of the restoration led to the creation of the "Monkey Christ" meme and transformed the once quiet town of Borja rapidly turn into a significant visitor attraction.
The municipality, which had in the past welcomed just five thousand tourists per year, received over 40,000 tourists by 2013, and generated over €50,000 for charity from the interest.
Currently, officials say that somewhere around 15,000 and 20,000 tourists visit Borja each year to see the notorious painting, which is now displayed behind a protective shield of glass.
Later Life and Community Admiration
After recovering from the wave of criticism, with support from local residents and others globally, Giménez later stage an exhibition of her paintings featuring 28 of her personal paintings.
She was commended by Borja's mayor for her kind-hearted nature and decades of faithful service to the church.
In the end, what began as a well-intentioned but unsuccessful art repair forged an unlikely piece of pop culture and brought unprecedented attention and resources to a humble Spanish town.
