Spanish Parishioner Who Gained Fame for Mishandling a Prized Painting Restoration Dies at Age 94
The Spanish parishioner who made international headlines for her poorly executed repair job on a cherished religious painting has died at the age 94.
The woman, from the town of Borja in northern Spain, rose to prominence thirteen years ago after she undertook to repaint a 100-year-old painting titled Ecce Homo housed within her parish church.
Giménez's handiwork spread across the internet and was dubbed "Potato Jesus", largely due to the resulting likeness of Christ's head looking somewhat like a hairy monkey.
Official Announcement and Tribute
The nonagenarian's passing was confirmed by the town's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, via an online statement, where he described her as a "great enthusiast of painting from a very early age".
"Descansa en paz Cecilia, we will always remember you," the mayor posted.
Arilla further referenced Giménez's "famous restoration of Ecce Homo" in the summer of 2012, which "due to the deteriorated condition it was in, Cecilia, with the best intentions, decided to repaint the work over".
The Painting's Background and the Fateful Intervention
The Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man" in Latin) painted by 19th century painter Elias Garcia Martinez had resided for over a hundred years in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church close to Zaragoza.
At the time, Giménez, who was 81 years old, explained that church members had "traditionally fixed everything here", and that she had been given the go-ahead from the local priest to do the work.
She added at the time that anyone who came into the Church would have observed she was painting over the original image.
An Unexpected Tourist Boom
The aftermath of the repaint job spawned the "Ecce Mono" meme and saw the once quiet town of Borja quickly become a major visitor attraction.
The town, which had in the past seen only five thousand visitors per year, received more than 40,000 tourists by 2013, and generated more than €50,000 for charity from the interest.
Currently, local authorities estimate that somewhere around 15,000 and 20,000 tourists travel to Borja each year to view the famous painting, which is now protected by a protective shield of glass.
Later Life and Local Admiration
Following the wave of criticism, with support from the townspeople and well-wishers globally, Giménez later stage an art exhibition showcasing 28 of her personal works.
She was praised by the mayor for her generosity and years of dedication to the church.
Ultimately, what began as a sincere but flawed act of restoration forged an improbable cultural icon and provided remarkable tourist revenue to a small Spanish town.