Woman who ruined Spanish artwork says priest knew she was painting on it

TODAY ^ | Gael Fashingbauer Cooper

[Alex Murphy]

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 knew it, he did!"

When asked if she did the work secretly, Gimenez's translated response is, "Of course not! Everybody who came into the church could see I was painting."

But the New York Times reports that authorities in the region at first suspected vandalism, and said Gimenez had acted on her own. Authorities are considering legal action against Gimenez, the Times reports.

Television Española also spoke with Teresa Garcia, the granddaughter of Elias Garcia Martinez, the artist who painted "Ecce Homo (Behold the Man)" more than a century ago. Garcia seemed to be OK with part of Gimenez's restoration work.

"Until now, she had just painted the tunic, but the problem started when she painted on the head as well," Garcia told the reporter. "She has destroyed this painting."

Officials in the area, near Zaragoza, Spain, have contacted professional art restorers to examine the painting and suggest how it might be repaired.

Reaction to Gimenez's work has been overwhelming. Many who posted responses on TODAY's Facebook page found the final result humorous, some were outraged that Gimenez attempted to alter the work and others begged for sympathy for the would-be artist.

Wrote Geraldine Hamtil Cassidy, "Look, nobody knows what Jesus really looked like. Maybe her rendition is more accurate..."

The BBC Europe correspondent described the painting's current state as resembling "a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic."

[Alex Murphy]

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 knew it, he did!" When asked if she did the work secretly, Gimenez's translated response is, "Of course not! Everybody who came into the church could see I was painting." But the New York Times reports that authorities in the region at first suspected vandalism, and said Gimenez had acted on her own. Authorities are considering legal action against Gimenez, the Times reports.

Television Española also spoke with Teresa Garcia, the granddaughter of Elias Garcia Martinez, the artist who painted "Ecce Homo (Behold the Man)" more than a century ago. Garcia seemed to be OK with part of Gimenez's restoration work. "Until now, she had just painted the tunic, but the problem started when she painted on the head as well," Garcia told the reporter. "She has destroyed this painting."

...."Look, nobody knows what Jesus really looked like. Maybe her rendition is more accurate..."

The BBC Europe correspondent described the painting's current state as resembling "a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic."

[ruesrose]

Was the priest crzy? Was she crazy? That is horrible.

[Joe 6-pack]

Given the international coverage this has received, I would be willing to bet that there are any number of intern and apprentice restorers at the Prado who would be able and willing to do the restoration for the cost of materials, simply to make their bones in the profession.

[Sirius Lee]

It reminds me of what rap “artists” do to classic rock and R&B songs.

[Rides_A_Red_Horse]

The BBC Europe correspondent described the painting’s current state as resembling “a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic.”

---

The National Endowment for the Arts will send her a very big check, soon!

[dfwgator]

[James C. Bennett]

The 81-year old who did this... senility has to be part of the explanation.

[Flag_This]

It has a certain...uh...je ne sais quoi.

[RegulatorCountry]

You sure that woman's Hispanic?

Looks like a typical white person. Maybe she's pulling an Elizabeth Warren or something.

[FourtySeven]

A little more background to the story. Thought you might like to know; it's still captivating audiences everywhere.

Much like a train wreck, you just can't look away........ The BBC Europe correspondent described the painting's current state as resembling "a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic."

[layman]

As far as I'm concerned, her ‘repair’ job is no worse than some of the ‘priceless’ Picasso’s I've seen. And .... as you might have surmised, I know absolutely nothing about art.

[ontap]

A political analogy would be...It looks like the difference between the Obama we were promised and the one we got!!!

[Reily]

well you know that anything by Picasso is not art!
That's a start!

[RegulatorCountry]

It’s a Chiaroscuro Picasso with a mysterious, almost Mona Lisa-like inscrutable facial expression that captures the hearts and minds of viewers and critics alike as they wonder, just what is he about to say, “blarg” or “duh?”

The appeal of this masterpiece of naive folk painting is only heightened due to the very brave and much overdue recognition of Moorish contributions to Spanish history.

I expect leftists to begin forming protective human shields around about the chapel any day now.

[humblegunner]

You sure that woman's Hispanic?

Surely you don't expect people in Spain to look like Mexicans.

[RegulatorCountry]

Oh my. You mean they don’t? /s

[Ezekiel]

>>>Much like a train wreck, you just can't look away........ <<<

[Baynative]

"It reminds me of what rap “artists” do to classic rock and R&B songs."

Rap is to music as Etch-a-Sketch is to art.

[RegulatorCountry]

Just had to drag the Mittster up in there now didn’t you, lol.

[Dr. Sivana]

well you know that anything by Picasso is not art!



Not true. He just found he could make more money the other way. The infuriating thing about Picasso was that he was capable of making truly great work, rather than purposefully degenerative stuff found in his cubism.