The amateur artist behind the infamous “Monkey Christ” restoration of a 19th century church fresco in Spain has died at the age of 94.
Cecilia Giménez from Borja, northeast Spain volunteered for the task of restoring The Ecce Homo (Behold the Man), which has been located for over a century at the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza. The painting is originally the work of Elias Garcia Martinez.
Giménez's attempted restoration of the work became international news in 2012. At the time she told the BBC that local church members always did the work of making repairs themselves and that the parish priest had given his permission for her restoration work.
Somewhat ironically, the much-mocked restoration has drawn more visitors to the town than the original ever did. Prior to the restoration only 5,000 visitors came to Borja every year. After the controversy surrounding the painting, that figure rose to 40,000 in 2013. €50,000 was also raised for charity at the time.
Even over a decade later Borja still welcomes 15-20,000 visitors per year to see Giménez’s work.
Giménez’s death was confirmed in a Facebook post by Eduardo Arilla, the mayor of Borja.
Arilla said of Giménez: “She was a great painting enthusiast from a young age and did numerous works, especially focused on landscapes. In August 2012, the famous restoration of the Ecce homo de Borja came to light, which due to the poor state of conservation it presented, Cecilia, with the best intention decided to repaint the work above.”
He praised Giménez’s charitable work, which included selling her own paintings to fund a home for vulnerable elderly people.
Arilla said, “From here we want to thank you for your generosity and for your dedication of so many years in this Sanctuary that you loved so much. REST IN PEACE CECILIA WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU”.
