Spanish Parishioner Who Gained Fame for Botching a Famous Fresco Restoration Dies at the Age of 94
The Spanish parishioner who achieved global fame for her infamous repair job on a cherished Jesus Christ fresco has died at the age 94.
The woman, a resident of the town of Borja in northeast Spain, rose to prominence 13 years ago after she attempted to repaint a century-old fresco known as Ecce Homo located in her local church.
Giménez's handiwork spread across the internet and earned the moniker "Potato Jesus", largely due to the resulting likeness of Christ's head bearing a resemblance to a hairy monkey.
Official Confirmation and Homage
The 94-year-old's death was announced by Borja's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, in a social media post, where he acknowledged her as a "passionate lover of painting from a very early age".
"Descansa en paz Cecilia, your memory will live on with us," Arilla wrote.
Arilla further referenced Giménez's "famous restoration of Ecce Homo" in August 2012, which "because of the deteriorated condition it was in, Cecilia, acting in good faith, decided to apply new paint over the original".
The Artwork's Background and the Fateful 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 Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza.
In 2012, Giménez, who was 81 years old, explained that parishioners had "always repaired everything here", and that she had received permission 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 existing image.
An Unexpected Tourist Boom
The aftermath of the restoration led to the creation of the "Ecce Mono" internet phenomenon and saw the once quiet town of Borja quickly become a significant visitor attraction.
The town, which had previously seen only five thousand tourists per year, attracted over 40,000 tourists by 2013, and managed to raise over €50,000 for charity from the interest.
Currently, officials estimate that between 15,000 and 20,000 tourists visit Borja every year to view the famous portrait, which is now displayed behind a protective shield of glass.
Later Life and Local Support
After recovering from the initial backlash, backed by local residents and others globally, Giménez later hold an art exhibition showcasing twenty-eight of her personal paintings.
She was commended by Borja's mayor for her generosity and decades of faithful service to the parish.
Ultimately, what began as a well-intentioned but unsuccessful act of restoration forged an improbable piece of pop culture and brought remarkable tourist revenue to a humble Spanish town.
