Thursday 23 August 2012

RESTORATION MAKEOVER MADNESS


Ecce Homo by Elias Garcia Martinez

I love this true story that appeared in the news a few days ago!
Cecilia Gimenez, an 80 year old Spanish parishioner decided to give a deteriorating church fresco a little 'restoration' after convincing the priest and sacristan.

As a result Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) painted by Elias Garcia Martinez in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza more than 100 years ago was given a vigorous make-over.

The once classical Christ-like portrait is now said to resemble 'a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic' and has horrified and stunned Art historians throughout Spain.


After Restoration
What was she thinking?  Was she happy with the finished result?  Did she enjoy herself?  Her version is certainly Picasso-esque and would make a great submission for The Turner Prize.

I guess the moral of this story is: Don't over-estimate your abilities and secondly don't make-over things that you don't personally own.
 
To remedy the situation, the Sanctuary of Mercy Church have decided to cover the ruined pimped up fresco with a photographic reproduction of the original painting.

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