Spanish-born Parishioner Who Gained Fame for Mishandling a Prized Fresco Repair Has Died at Age 94
The elderly woman from Spain who made international headlines for her poorly executed restoration attempt on a cherished Jesus Christ fresco has passed away at the age 94.
Cecilia Giménez, from the town of Borja in northeast Spain, rose to prominence thirteen years ago after she attempted to repaint a 100-year-old fresco known as Ecce Homo housed within her local church.
Giménez's handiwork spread across the internet and earned the moniker "Monkey Christ", largely due to the resulting likeness of Christ's head bearing a resemblance to a furry primate.
Official Announcement and Homage
The 94-year-old's passing was confirmed by Borja's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, in a social media post, where he acknowledged her as a "great lover of painting from a young age".
"Rest in peace Cecilia, your memory will live on with us," Arilla wrote.
Arilla also paid tribute to Giménez's "now-legendary restoration of Ecce Homo" in the summer of 2012, which "because of the deteriorated condition it presented, Cecilia, with the best intentions, decided to apply new paint over the original".
The Artwork's History and the Now-Infamous Intervention
The Ecce Homo ("This is the Man" in Latin) painted by 19th century artist Elias Garcia Martinez had resided for more than a hundred years in the Santuario de la Misericordia close to Zaragoza.
In 2012, Giménez, then 81, stated that parishioners had "traditionally fixed everything here", and that she had received permission from the local priest to do the work.
She also noted that anyone who entered the church would have observed she was painting over the original artwork.
A Surprising Tourist Boom
The aftermath of the repaint job led to the creation of the "Monkey Christ" internet phenomenon and saw the previously sleepy town of Borja quickly become a significant visitor attraction.
The municipality, which had in the past welcomed just five thousand visitors per year, attracted over 40,000 tourists by 2013, and managed to raise over €50,000 for charity from the attention.
Today, officials say that somewhere around 15,000 and 20,000 tourists travel to Borja every year to view the notorious painting, which is now displayed behind a protective shield of glass.
Later Life and Community Support
Following the wave of criticism, with support from local residents and well-wishers globally, Giménez went on to hold an art exhibition featuring twenty-eight of her own works.
She was commended by Borja's mayor for her kind-hearted nature and years of dedication to the parish.
In the end, what began as a sincere but unsuccessful act of restoration forged an improbable cultural icon and brought unprecedented attention and resources to a humble Spanish town.
