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Spanish parishioner behind viral 'Monkey Christ' fresco dies
Cecilia Giménez, the amateur artist whose botched restoration of a century-old religious painting turned her into an internet sensation, has died at 94, Borja's mayor announced Tuesday.
The restoration that went viral
In August 2012, Giménez attempted to restore Ecce Homo ("Behold the Man"), a 19th-century fresco by Elías García Martínez housed in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza. The original artwork, deteriorating for years, was repainted by Giménez, who later claimed she had the local priest's permission.
The result-a depiction of Christ with a distorted, monkey-like face-sparked global ridicule and earned the nickname "Monkey Christ." Despite the backlash, Giménez insisted her work was visible to anyone entering the church.
From meme to tourist boom
The viral fame transformed Borja, a quiet town in northeastern Spain. Before 2012, it attracted roughly 5,000 visitors annually. By 2013, tourism surged to over 40,000, with the town raising €50,000 for charity. Today, 15,000-20,000 tourists visit annually to see the fresco, now protected behind glass.
A legacy beyond controversy
Giménez, who described herself as a lifelong painting enthusiast, later embraced her notoriety. With support from locals and global admirers, she held an exhibition featuring 28 of her own artworks. Borja's mayor, Eduardo Arilla, praised her generosity and dedication to the church in a Facebook tribute.
"Rest in peace, Cecilia. We will always remember you."
Eduardo Arilla, Mayor of Borja
Remembering Giménez
Arilla acknowledged Giménez's "best intentions" in restoring the fresco, noting its poor condition at the time. Despite the unintended fame, her efforts left an indelible mark on Borja's cultural and economic landscape.
