Cecilia Giménez, the Spanish parishioner who captured global attention for her unconventional restoration of a prized Jesus Christ fresco, has died at the age of 94.
Giménez, from Borja in northeast Spain, became an international sensation 13 years ago when she attempted to restore a century-old painting, Ecce Homo, in her local church. Her effort, intended to preserve the artwork, resulted in a dramatically altered depiction of Christ, earning the nickname “Monkey Christ” due to the figure’s now-animal-like appearance.
The news of her passing was confirmed by Borja’s mayor, Eduardo Arilla, in a Facebook post. He praised Giménez as “a great lover of painting from a young age” and acknowledged her “famous restoration of Ecce Homo,” which, he said, was carried out with the best of intentions despite the painting’s poor condition.
The fresco, created by 19th-century painter Elías García Martínez, had been housed in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza for over a century. In 2012, Giménez, then 81, explained that her work had been approved by the local priest and was meant as a straightforward repair of the deteriorating image.
Her unintended transformation of the painting sparked a viral meme and thrust the quiet town of Borja into the international spotlight. Previously welcoming around 5,000 visitors a year, Borja soon attracted more than 40,000 tourists by 2013, generating over €50,000 for charity. Today, the fresco remains protected behind a glass panel, drawing 15,000 to 20,000 visitors annually.
Following the initial backlash, Giménez continued to pursue her passion for art, staging an exhibition featuring 28 of her own paintings. Mayor Arilla paid tribute to her years of dedication to the church and community, describing her generosity and enduring impact.
“Rest in peace Cecilia, we will always remember you,” he wrote.
