World

This Is Why You Shouldn‘t Attempt to ’Restore‘ a Rare Painting That You Weren’t Asked to Fix

Elderly Spanish Woman Ruins Fresco Painting at Centro de Estudios Borjanos

(Source: Gawker)

One woman’s well-intentioned decision to touch-up a badly damaged fresco painting, to put it gently, didn’t go so well. As you can see from the image above, what started out as a beautiful depiction of Jesus Christ wearing a crown of thorns, now resembles some sort of mythical beast or extra-terrestrial being — either way, the new image is unsettling.

As Gawker points out, the leftmost image is what the painting looked like two years ago; the middle image is how it looked in July when it was photographed for a religious art catalog; and the rightmost image is how it looks now after the attempted restoration.

The alterations were reportedly made by an elderly Spanish woman in her 80s who also happens to be a neighbor of the Centro de Estudios Borjanos in Borja, Spain — the church where the painting was proudly displayed. She apparently noticed the damage to painting and decided she would do a good deed and fix it. However, the amateur restorer realized — obviously, well into her work — that she “had gotten out of hand” and confessed to local authorities.

Gawker has more details on the painting:

A couple of weeks ago, the Centro de Estudios Borjanos in Borja, Spain, received a donation from the granddaughter of 19th-century painter Elías García Martínez. At the time, the Centro knew of only one painting by Martínez in Borja — Ecce Homo, a fresco on the walls of the church of Santuario de Misericordia.

[...] The leftmost image is how the painting looked two years ago; the middle image is how it looked in July, when it was photographed for a catalog of regional religious art. The image on right is how it looked when the Centro went to check it out on August 6th after receiving the donation. Hmm.

Perhaps we could give the old lady an “A” for effort? Sometimes it’s best to leave it to professionals… Or at least wait to be asked before you attempt to restore a rare, old painting.

Comments (190)

1 2 3 4
  • EndTheGOPTEA
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:31pm

    Stupid Picture of Jesus

    Report Post » EndTheGOPTEA  
    • lukerw
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:38pm

      Different Cultures; different Perspectives; different senses of Art & Beauty!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • watersRpeople
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:43pm

      I don’t think they are stupid, except maybe he didn’t have blue eyes.

      Report Post »  
    • PhilipJames
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:48pm

      When you removed your head from its normal resting place, up your buttocks, the hit of oxygen severely damaged the few remaining brain cells. Please restore it to its rightful place before there are none left… please.

      Report Post »  
    • grimmster
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:55pm

      No encinom aka endthegoptea,what is stupid, is allowing your sorry ass on here everyday, moron…..

      Report Post »  
    • db321
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 10:38pm

      I thought about getting a painting of Jesus, but I was afraid that if my house burns down, I would lose Jesus. So I looked into getting one of those plastic status of Jesus for my car, but if you take the magnate out, it falls over.

      So I decided it was best for me to keep Jesus in my heart.

      Report Post » db321  
    • saranda
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:07pm

      You can’t even make out the American flag in the background.

      Report Post »  
    • bikerr
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:11pm

      Picture? Wow!

      Report Post »  
    • jstan442
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:11am

      i am sure you wouldn’t say that about mohammed would you??

      Report Post » jstan442  
    • princessnutsack
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:36am

      why is it a stupid pic of jesus? he actually wore a crown of thorns…..its pretty accurate. please articulate why you think its stooopid.

      Report Post » princessnutsack  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:54am

      It is a painting. Did you know that a Marine is being held in America under communist tactic’s for posting patriotic material on his FB page? http://washington.cbslocal.com/2012/08/21/military-vet-detained-for-psych-evaluation-over-anti-government-facebook-posts/

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • OneTermPresident
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 9:53am

      @ENDTHEGOPTEA… Excuse me… but would you mind explaining to the Blaze audience why you took the time to register here knowing full well what side of the aisle the Blaze represents. What reason could it be… other than HATE? You haven’t been pooping in public… have you…?

      Report Post » OneTermPresident  
    • Mark13
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:01am

      Sitting in front of the computer 24/7 isn’t doing your mental health any good.

      Report Post »  
    • Jezreel
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:14am

      Funny how they try to depict Jesus with blue eyes and in other pictures they have him looking like a Swede. Roman Catholics like to keep him dead on the cross in pictures too.

      Report Post »  
    • IsThereADifference
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 11:09am

      NOTACRAZY

      Good Story. I wonder why the Blaze is not covering this? Maybe it‘s because Mitt Romney’s Vice Presidential nominee Paul Ryan voted YES for NDAA and CISPA. Under these new unconstitutional laws the government has the power to take private citizens into custody for exercising their 1st amendment rights.

      The RNC is overrun with progressives. Thanks to the many complacent conservatives we now have super-progressives Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan as our only choice to get Obama out. Say goodbye to our once free nation.

      Report Post » IsThereADifference  
    • muffythetuffy
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:36pm

      I do not believe this story. The original must have been swapped for that stupid picture and she made up that story. Check the canvas.

      Report Post »  
    • floridareader
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:56pm

      I suppose you can do an intelligent one, right?

      Report Post » floridareader  
    • jzs
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:10pm

      But then again, nobody knows what Jesus looked like anyway.

      Report Post » jzs  
    • nixtheprez
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:41pm

      Thinking maybe He’s thinking the same about you!

      Report Post » nixtheprez  
    • yourpantsonfire
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:45pm

      Your ignorance or stupid is beyond further comment.

      Report Post » yourpantsonfire  
    • shirleyandpearl
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:47pm

      oooppps! reminds me of that first “MR BEAN” movie where he attempts to restore some expensive artwork he had wrecked.

      Report Post » shirleyandpearl  
    • Teaparty-grammy
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:35pm

      @SHIRLEYANDPEARL, who Posted: “oooppps! reminds me of that first “MR BEAN” movie where he attempts to restore some expensive artwork he had wrecked.”

      That “Mr Bean” movie was the first thing I thought of when I saw this story’! :)

      Report Post » Teaparty-grammy  
  • lukerw
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:16pm

    It’s like the PROGRESSIVE FIX for AMERICA!

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Jenny Lind
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 10:14pm

      There ya go!

      Report Post »  
    • SharonIsCaring
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 10:19pm

      Our country has spent the last decade‘s removing GOD from our lives and we’ve missed out on what scholars and scientist from around the world have been discovering. The discoveries have changed the world of science. Answers to the universe! Go to the faith section. In RESTORING LOVE’s comments.

      Report Post »  
    • midwesthippie
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 6:50am

      …it’s a perfect analogy for what has happened to our Constitution…and i don’t think we asked for it to be “fixed” either…

      Report Post » midwesthippie  
    • Quiata
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 7:46am

      Spot on, Luther!

      Report Post »  
  • Anonymous T. Irrelevant
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:16pm

    Looks like NEA funded art.

    Report Post » Anonymous T. Irrelevant  
    • Komponist-ZAH
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:46pm

      Nah.

      It’s not submerged in urine or covered with feces.

      Report Post »  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:26pm

      Looks like Picasso’s version of Christ.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • Mr.Fitnah
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:15pm

    Unreal.

    Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:43pm

      The poor woman must have dementia of some sort.

      Report Post »  
    • princessnutsack
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:37am

      whats unreal? i dont get it.

      Report Post » princessnutsack  
    • princessnutsack
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:48am

      mr. fitnah…..i wonder how many folks here know what fitnah means. likely none. i did two stints in juvi. i know fitnah is a black thing. my white friends and i used to play the drinking game president, my rule when i was president was… before you speak you must say fitnah or you drink. it was hard for them to start every sentence with that, its funny that it comes so natural to the AA community.

      Report Post » princessnutsack  
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 2:15pm

      No, Princess, Fitna is a Muslim thing, not a “black” thing.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIKCgRlwQUA

      Report Post » Redwood Elf  
  • phrogdriver
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:14pm

    I heard she was so upset, she had to take a job cleaning Glen Beck’s office. And she got his fishbowl sparkly clean.

    Report Post » phrogdriver  
  • The-Monk
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:13pm

    I used to restore the “very old” picture frames at the Smithsonian Institute.

    This is one messed up restoration. Looks like Whistlers Mother taking a nap. : (

    Report Post » The-Monk  
    • gillfish
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:59pm

      yea a dirt nap!

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:02am

      @gillfish

      You’re not very nice. Or maybe I missed something? : (

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • Quiata
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 7:49am

      @Monk Is it possible to RE-restore this unfortunate mess? Where does one begin?

      Report Post »  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:00am

      Hi MONK, yeah this guy’s skills are hardly beyond kindergarten finger painting.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
  • FREEDOMoverFEAR
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:13pm

    She should just pray that God will fix it. He can do anything.

    Report Post » FREEDOMoverFEAR  
    • Cesium
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:29pm

      That depiction of Jesus is also way way too white! Jesus was a middle easterner! If anyone ever wanted to accurately depict Jesus, they would find he looks more similar to Bin Laden. I know middle eastern Jews indigenous to the holy land area and that don’t look like white people.

      Report Post »  
    • lukerw
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:41pm

      GOD did fix it: Christ left no image behind… for Impersonators, Heathens, or Idiots!

      Report Post » lukerw  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:54am

      @cesium, Jesus is only half middle eastern. His father is God,and He was here before there were middle easterners.

      Report Post »  
    • DeavonReye
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 8:55am

      But Jake, . . . . there was nothing about him [Jesus] that would draw people to him, . . . so he would have looked like any other Jew at the time.

      Report Post » DeavonReye  
    • Copo
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 9:54am

      @Cesium Today’s middle easterner is a lot darker than 2000 years ago middle easterner, you know, because this thing called the Islamic invasion happened and all the people from the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula came up and conquered the entire middle east. He wouldn’t have been as white as in the painting, he probably would have been around the same skin color as Sicilians.

      Report Post » Copo  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:48am

      Devonreye;Beggin’ your pardon Devon, I don’t know what He looked like then, but I’ll know Him when I see Him. People were drawn to Him because of His message.

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 11:56am

      @Jake-spoon funny he is the son of god when I keep hearing about how he IS god…

      @copo – If you read the bible you’d find that Jews and Muslims come from the same line- Abraham.. Muslims are direct descendants of Abraham’s whore Hagar who birthed Ishmael, Muhammed being supposed direct decedent. I’m not sure what you said was true, I don’t know if anything in the bible is true but if you are gullible enough to take the bible as truth, then middle eastern jews and middle eastern muslims share a lot genetically.. I know jews from Iran and i’ve met jews from Iraq… they are not white… Mitochondrial DNA has already traced human roots to africa and before the white mutations we as humans were black first… you people think God preferred having a white son? Maybe god is black.. If he created man in his image, the first humans were black… the science shows it.. all mitochondrial dna traces back to african origin …

      Report Post »  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:08pm

      Oh,cesium,I get you now.Bless you’re heart.

      Report Post »  
    • Cesium
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:14pm

      @jake Bless, you are heart..?

      Report Post »  
    • jake-spoon
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 1:06pm

      Cesium; typo, should have said bless your heart. Sorry you couldn’t figure that out.

      Report Post »  
    • Redwood Elf
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 2:25pm

      Well he wasn’t a sub-Saharan African like Obama’s church believes either.

      Report Post » Redwood Elf  
    • DLV
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 4:17pm

      Cesium- the fact is you don’t care to know the truth of the bible. I know Sleazy hippo has given plenty of evidence for the validity of the bible, I’ve followed his posts and all the atheists just run away when he brings up evidence. I know a bit myself but if you don’t care to know the truth, and you just wanna continue spewing crap, no is going to bother to set you straight.

      Report Post » DLV  
  • princessnutsack
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:11pm

    I think Jesus is up there laughin with her (not to imply SHE is laughing). I think He is sayin, well done good and faithful servent. I think He also has art lessons planned upon her arrival. Poor grammy, I’m sure she is mortified.

    Report Post » princessnutsack  
    • Cesium
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 12:02pm

      I think most of the stories of Jesus is an embellished “big fish” fable. Your “thought” is nice though. good job. I also like to think that aliens exist. ahh thoughts…

      Report Post »  
  • CoffeeIsForClosers
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:08pm

    Don’t any of you foolios remember Whistlers Mother and Mr Bean

    Report Post »  
  • Nahum
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:07pm

    I honestly believe to her all three pictures look the same.

    Report Post »  
  • BryanB
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:59pm

    It‘s Bush’s fault !!!!!!!

    Report Post » BryanB  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:10pm

      Hi BryanB,

      No, it’s Brushes fault. LOL

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • SharonIsCaring
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:11pm

      More video’s useing science and forensics to Prove the BIBLE is TRUE in faith section. Go to RESTORING LOVE’S comments.

      Report Post »  
    • Do The Right Thing
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:07pm

      @The Monk: Geez that was great, Got a great laugh outta that, Thanks!!!

      Report Post » Do The Right Thing  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:59pm

      @Do The Right Thing

      Thanks…. any day I can laugh is a good day.

      Any day I can help someone else laugh is an even better day. : )

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:04am

      Hi MONK, Now wish I had gotten to this story earlier. I have to agree with Do The Right Thing. That was funny. Much like Rosie O’Donnell should blame the fork for making her so fat.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:09am

      Sharon may be caring… just not thinking.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
  • God_Is_Not
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:57pm

    Reminds me of the Bible…

    Report Post »  
  • Gr8ful1jim
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:44pm

    Looks like Bob from “That 70′s Show”.

    Report Post » Gr8ful1jim  
  • Polarized America
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:43pm

    She would have been ok but the numbers were covered up

    Report Post »  
  • SycamoreFan
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:40pm

    @ Skrewed I like the Constitution analogy.

    My question is how did it go from #1 to #2 in just 2 years? The old lady may have totally whacked it up but it was disappearing anyway! It wouldn’t have lasted another 2 or 3 years max. What do they do to paintings at that church? Put it in a glass frame or something!

    Report Post » SycamoreFan  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:48pm

      The second image was probably after the same woman had attempted to clean the patina off of it with Tilex and a scouring pad because she thought it looked dirty. After realizing she had scrubbed half the paint off, she then attempted to restore it. Just a theory, but it rings true to me.

      Report Post » Wool-Free Vision  
  • slvrserfr
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:32pm

    She turned what was once a work of art into a really bad abstract painting. Should have just taken a high resolution picture and had it professionally edited on a computer before actually modifying it.

    Report Post »  
  • G.E.R
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:32pm

    Considering no one knows what he looks like she may have done a good job

    Report Post »  
    • MOLLYPITCHER
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:18pm

      According to the Bible, Jesus wasn’t a beautiful person to look at. I‘m sure he didn’t look like the “fixed” painting, and probably not like the original but I see your point.

      Report Post »  
  • TheMajority
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:30pm

    I never thought it was a good idea to replace manufacturing and production with arts and crafts. Does any artist have the talent to paint a wind mill running a factory? Spain can’t either.

    Report Post »  
  • one.dakine.howlie
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:29pm

    My gosh… A piece of rare history absolutely destroyed by a moron…

    Report Post »  
    • Magyar
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:35pm

      I’m ccertain that the Lord does not see it that way– She is one of his good and faithful and will be rewarded in heaven.

      Praise the Lord!

      Report Post »  
    • Words_of_the_Buddah
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 5:01pm

      So, are you saying that your god takes favorites?

      Report Post » Words_of_the_Buddah  
  • hi
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:29pm

    Haha!

    Report Post » hi  
  • nocomment
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:28pm

    Couldn’t help but chuckle… cracked up actually.

    Report Post »  
    • TumbleBumble
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:16pm

      Same here! I had to stop looking. :)

      The only thing I keep wondering is why the woman thought she was of the same caliber of artistic talent as the original artist. That‘s having a whole lot of faith in one’s self!

      Report Post » TumbleBumble  
  • bpodlesnik
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:22pm

    How old was she, like 5? That looks horrible now.

    Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • kaydeebeau
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:32pm

      Only looked at the pictures huh? Story says in her 80s…Bless her heart. I am sure she is mortified

      Report Post » kaydeebeau  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:34pm

      Read. Comprehend. Post. In that order. Had you read the words that accompany the images you would know that the woman who did this is in her 80′s, and no one would have to waste their time answering your stupid question.

      Report Post » Wool-Free Vision  
    • stumpy68
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:00pm

      sarcasm they don’t gets it

      Report Post » stumpy68  
    • princessnutsack
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 9:15pm

      @ wool free vision, grandma clearly does not share your same vision. :)

      Report Post » princessnutsack  
    • bpodlesnik
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 11:25pm

      Yikes, I guess I was a little to sharp on the sarcasm. My apologies.

      Report Post » bpodlesnik  
  • Tri-ox
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:13pm

    Obviously, she’s a big fan of rhesus monkeys.

    Report Post » Tri-ox  
  • Skrewedretiree
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:13pm

    Picture one looks like the Constitution. Picture two looks like the Constitution after the Clinton Administration got done with it. Picture three looks like today’s Constictution after the Obama Regime and the Supreme Court got hold of it. Notice I didn’t say “got through with it”. I don‘t think they’re done yet.

    Report Post » Skrewedretiree  
    • progressiveslayer
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:18pm

      Nope they’re not done yet,almost though just look at the communist manifesto that’s their endgame.

      Report Post » progressiveslayer  
    • bpodlesnik
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:23pm

      Can’t leave politics out, for just once?

      Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • TheMajority
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:23pm

      I know I should not have laughed at that out of respect for our Constitution, but thanks for the grin. I needed it. :)

      Report Post »  
    • normalmom
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:24pm

      Interesting analogy.

      Report Post »  
    • Wool-Free Vision
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:31pm

      Skrewed, your analogy is brilliant. Kudos, sir. It truly is a perfect fit. That pathetic image on the right is a complete perversion of the original, just as the Marxist’s “living” Constitution is a perversion of the original. It pains me to even look at it.

      Report Post » Wool-Free Vision  
    • TheMajority
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:32pm

      Please though, don’t forget the crimes of the republican party.

      Report Post »  
    • Wu Ming Ren
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 3:01pm

      BPODLESNIK posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:23pm — “Can’t leave politics out, for just once?”

      Since The Blaze is a political blog and not an art blog, your question is irrelevant. The Left uses art to further its political agenda, so I see politics in art. I see politics in everything, as a defense against the Left, which sees politics in everything.

      Report Post »  
  • 65Plus
    Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:11pm

    How about cleaning Orson Wells fishbowls? Same preservationist???

    Report Post » 65Plus  
    • Steverino
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:33pm

      Now THAT’S funny!
      Steve

      Report Post »  
    • captquest
      Posted on August 21, 2012 at 8:56pm

      You beat me to it, that’s the first thing I thought about too. LOL

      Report Post » captquest  
    • RJJinGadsden
      Posted on August 22, 2012 at 10:02am

      CAPTQUEST, I commend you for your choice of an avatar. Have been using the same for a quite a while.

      Report Post » RJJinGadsden  
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