🔗 Share this article Spanish Parishioner Who Gained Notoriety for Botching a Prized Fresco Repair Has Died at the Age of 94 Cecilia Giménez's handiwork of the century-old painting. The Spanish parishioner who made international headlines for her poorly executed restoration attempt on a cherished religious painting has passed away at the age 94. Cecilia Giménez, from the town of Borja in northern Spain, became a global sensation thirteen years ago after she undertook to repaint a century-old painting titled Ecce Homo housed within her parish church. Giménez's handiwork spread across the internet and earned the moniker "Potato Jesus", because the altered depiction of Christ's head looking somewhat like a furry primate. Official Confirmation and Homage The 94-year-old's death was announced by the town's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, in a social media post, where he described her as a "passionate enthusiast of painting from a very early age". "Rest in peace Cecilia, your memory will live on with us," the mayor posted. Arilla also paid tribute to Giménez's "famous restoration of Ecce Homo" in August 2012, which "because of the deteriorated condition it presented, Cecilia, with the best intentions, decided to apply new paint over the original". The Artwork's History and the Fateful Act The Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man" in Latin) by 19th century painter Elias Garcia Martinez had resided for more than a hundred years in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza. In 2012, Giménez, who was 81 years old, explained that church members had "always repaired everything here", and that she had received permission from the parish priest to do the work. She added at the time that anybody who came into the Church would have observed she was applying paint to the original image. A Surprising Economic Lifeline The aftermath of the restoration led to the creation of the "Monkey Christ" internet phenomenon and transformed the once quiet town of Borja rapidly turn into a significant tourist destination. The municipality, which had previously welcomed just 5,000 tourists per year, attracted more than 40,000 tourists by 2013, and generated over €50,000 for charity from the attention. Currently, officials estimate that somewhere around 15,000 and 20,000 tourists travel to Borja each year to see the notorious portrait, which is now protected by a protective shield of glass. Later Life and Local Support After recovering from the wave of criticism, backed by the townspeople and well-wishers around the world, Giménez went on to stage an art exhibition showcasing 28 of her own works. She was praised by Borja's mayor for her generosity and decades of dedication to the parish. In the end, what began as a sincere but flawed art repair created an improbable piece of pop culture and brought remarkable tourist revenue to a small Spanish town.