"Cecilia Gimenez just wanted to freshen up an old painting at her church in Borja, Spain. She ended up becoming an internationally known artist. The piece in question was a fresco by painter Elias Garcia Martinez known as Ecce Homo. It depicted a portrait of Jesus, in a red tunic with a crown of thorns on his head. By 2012, the piece was looking a little worse for wear, so Gimenez took it upon herself to restore it."
"The result wasn't immediately seen as an improvement, necessarily. News articles at the time said she "botched" the project, with people dubbing the new version, Ecce Mono. The image went viral, and then became rapidly memed. Which meant the painting became way more famous thanks to Gimenez. She died Monday, at the age of 94. Borja mayor Eduardo Arillia announced the news, and the town's city council posted a message in her honor."
"She died Monday, at the age of 94. Borja mayor Eduardo Arillia announced the news, and the town's city council posted a message in her honor. While the story had a fairly happy ending, the immediate wave of criticism did affect Gimenez. Local news reported at the time that she was bedridden, suffering from anxiety, and that her family was trying to get her to eat. But eventually, Aug. 25 became a local holiday to celebrate the renewed birth of the painting."
Cecilia Gimenez, a 90-something parishioner in Borja, Spain, attempted to freshen an aging Ecce Homo fresco by Elias Garcia Martinez. Her unauthorized restoration dramatically altered the portrait of Jesus, prompting widespread media reports that the work had been "botched" and nicknamed Ecce Mono. The altered image spread virally and became a meme, dramatically increasing attention and tourism for the town. Initial criticism and mockery took a personal toll, leaving Gimenez anxious and bedridden for a time. The town later embraced the outcome, marking Aug. 25 as a local holiday celebrating the fresco’s renewed fame. Gimenez died at 94.
Read at www.npr.org
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]