Cecilia Giménez, the Spanish woman known for her infamous 2012 restoration of a church fresco, died at 94. The amateur painter's attempt to restore "Ecce Homo," a depiction of Jesus, gained global attention. She passed away Monday in a nursing home in her hometown of Borja, Spain.
Giménez's restoration attempt transformed the nearly century-old fresco into a widely mocked image. Initially, authorities suspected vandalism when her work was discovered in August 2012. Giménez explained she was trying to restore her favorite depiction of Jesus.
The botched restoration unexpectedly turned Borja into a tourist destination. The altered fresco became a global internet sensation. The Borja City Council acknowledged her impact, praising her as a great person.
The original "Ecce Homo" fresco was a local artwork in the Zaragoza region of northeastern Spain. Giménez's unintended transformation sparked debates about art, restoration, and public perception. The town of Borja will likely see continued interest in the altered fresco as a cultural phenomenon.
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