Spanish woman who found fame for botching fresco restoration dies

BBC News - WorldEN 2 min read 100% complete December 30, 2025 at 04:26 AM

AI Summary

medium article 2 min

Cecilia Giménez, the Spanish woman who gained international notoriety for her botched restoration of the "Ecce Homo" fresco in Borja, Spain, died at age 94. In 2012, Giménez, then 81, attempted to restore the 19th-century painting in her local church, resulting in a widely ridiculed image nicknamed "Monkey Christ." Despite the initial backlash, the altered fresco became a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to the small town and generating revenue for charity. Giménez, who said she had permission to restore the painting, later held her own art exhibition. The mayor of Borja acknowledged her dedication to the church and generosity in a Facebook post confirming her death.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

BBC News 30% Zaragoza 35% Sanctuary of Mercy Church 40% Elias Garcia Martinez 50% Spain 60% Eduardo Arilla ×370% Ecce Homo ×375% Borja ×685% Cecilia Giménez ×895%

Keywords

cecilia giménez 100% botched restoration 90% ecce homo 80% fresco 70% monkey christ 70% art restoration 60% tourism 50% elias garcia martinez 40% viral meme 40%