Free Republic

People around the world were shocked Wednesday when images of a ruined 19th century Spanish painting of Christ were revealed. But now the woman who altered the painting is saying a priest in the church that was home to the artwork knew she was attempting to touch up the faded piece. Cecilia Gimenez, identified only as being "in her 80s," spoke to Televisión Española after the story spread. A reporter asked Gimenez if she had been instructed to paint on the artwork. The BBC provides an English translation of her answer as, "Of course! It was the priest! The priest...

(RNN) – The woman who disfigured the Ecce Homo Jesus Christ painting said she's really stressed out, and would like to be compensated for her work, please. The early-20th century painting inside a Spanish church gained worldwide attention in August after the "restoration" by amateur artist (finger painter?) Cecilia Gimenez. The fresco, which used to feature the Christ crowned in thorns looking to the sky, has been referred to as Ecce Mono, or Behold the Monkey, since she "fixed it." The "self-taught" woman who only wanted to "help" has hired lawyers to get money from the church for the "good...