Friday, August 24, 2012

Ecce Homo

Ecce Homo recorded in three different states of condition; the original by Elias Garcia Martinez, the deteriorated version, and the 'restored' version by Cecilia Gimenez.

Cecilia Gimenez, a woman in her 80's, has made a simultaneously horrifying and hilarious 'restoration' of a fresco depicting Christ. The painting, titled Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) was painted in 1910 by Elias Garcia Martinez in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church, Borja, Spain, for over 100 years.

Gimenez began her unauthorised 'restoration' because she was upset at its moisture-inflicted deterioration, claiming to have had the permission of the priest. It is unsure what will happen next, art historians will meet and decide the fate of the fresco. The new version looks like a cross between Emil Nolde and Redon, with a dash of Munch, and some Tomie de Paola thrown in too.