Latest news with #ElPais
Metro
14 hours ago
- General
- Metro
Work to fix ‘botched' restoration of Virgin Mary statue leaves her ‘even worse'
Spanish churchgoers have been left dismayed after a historical Virgin Mary statue which suffered 'botched' restoration work has returned from an emergency touch-up looking even more bizarre. The Macarena, a lifesized 17-century wooden effigy at the basilica of the same name in Seville, is considered a national treasure in the country. A routine restoration in June saw her take on a distinctly 'glamorous' look which sparked a protest of hundreds of outraged worshippers outside the basilica. Her eyelashes were lengthened to a point resembling false lashes, her skin was repainted paler and less swarthy, and various aspects of her dress and jewellery were changed. Worshippers told local media her facial expression 'completely changed' as a result, leaving her looking like a 'poor copy' of the original. One accused the lead restorer, 85-year-old Francisco Arquillo Torres, of 'murdering' the Macarena. Up Next The Brotherhood of the Macarena shared a lengthy statement asking for 'forgiveness for the moral and devotional damage' caused by the work. The church closed and reopened on June 21 after having the restorers shorten the statue's eyelashes to correct an 'undesired effect'. Technicians from the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) were called in to supervise the process. But the new version immediately drew complaints from both churchgoers and officials on the church's board who thought it looked even worse. Jorge Pulgar Salgado, 35, a member of the church brotherhood, told the New York Times his first thought was: 'Mother, what happened to you?' One worshipper told Spanish newspaper El Pais: 'Her facial expression has completely changed. It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.' The restorers met again that night but changed her expression even more. Over the coming weeks anger built up among the congregation and other residents of Seville who saw photos on social media. At the end of the month the church leaders called a gathering of 1,800 brothers to church and apologised before announcing the statue would be withdrawn for major restorations. A leading figure from the IAPH suggested the restorers had bungled their work but that the statue had 'deeper' problems include a possible insect infestation and a crack across the Virgin's face. The latest restoration began last week and could last three months, according to sources who spoke to Spanish newspaper El Pais. 'Monkey Christ' and other botched statue restorations The Macarena's restoration has been likened to the infamous repainting of a painting of Christ in northern Spain – although arguably not quite as bad. The fresco was dubbed 'Monkey Christ' after 82-year-old restorer Cecilia Giménez left the 'Ecce Homo' (Behold the Man) fresco in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy church in Borja with a distinctly simian look. Although the painting was in dire need of TLC, her brushwork completely stripped the original of human semblance, creating an ape-like face widely mocked around the world. Last year locals and restorers in another Spanish city were outraged after an 18th-century church underwent a major makeover which left its cherubs looking like creepy homunculi. Locals said their facial expressions looked unnatural and 'permanently surprised', while their lips glowed a lurid red against their now ghost-white skin. Un detalle de los angelotes. — SoriaPatrimonio (@soriapatrimonio) July 28, 2024 Earlier this year an 1820 statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesus in a village in Poland met a similar fate. The Blessed Mother was left with unnatural yellowish skin, exaggerated features and almost no chin. 'It looks more like Bart Simpson than The Mother Mary,' one user commented on a Facebook post by renovators unveiling the new figure. Jesus was also repainted with the same yellowish hue while the clothing on his lower half now resembled grey joggers.
STV News
15 hours ago
- General
- STV News
'Divine doctor' called to repair 'botched' Virgin Mary statue following protests
A restoration job of a sacred statue in Seville, Spain sparked protests after devotees described the makeover as 'botched'. The 5ft 9in wooden effigy of the Virgin of Hope of Macarena had her eyelashes extended, her skin tone tweaked and her nose adjusted in restoration work carried out by its usual restorer, 85-year-old Francisco Arquillo Torres. He has since laid low following backlash from devotees and locals who protested in June outside the Basilica de la Macarena where the statue is displayed. The Virgin Mary effigy before it was restored The 17th century figure made from pine wood and cypress is one Spain's most famed effigies and is annually paraded through Seville during Semana Santa or Holy Week. The Virgin Mary is one of a series of processions that take place during Easter to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholics. Devotees have rejected the new made-up Virgin Mary claiming that she is 'not my Macarena'. 'Her expression is different. What they've done to her is unjust,' one local told Spanish newspaper, El Pais. Following outrage over her appearance, Pedro Manzano, who has been heralded as the city's 'doctor to the divine', has been called in to repair the restoration. The Virgin Mary statue after restoration Crowds of angry worshippers lined the streets outside the Basilica calling for the leader of the Brotherhood of the Macarena, the group which oversees the Virgin Mary's appearance, to step down. 'It's a big responsibility, there's nothing more dangerous than this job,' Mr Manzano said in an interview with The Times. Shortly after the protests in June, the brotherhood shared a statement on X apologising for the failed restoration and acknowledged that the replaced eyelashes had caused 'an undesired effect'. 'The Brotherhood apologizes to brothers and devotees for this incident, emphasizing that its aim has been, is, and will always be to preserve in the best possible conditions the greatest heritage possessed by the Macarenos, their Sacred Titular Images, and especially the Most Holy Virgin of Hope,' it wrote on X. The botched effigy has been likened to a 19th century Spanish fresco painting which was destroyed after a DIY restoration attempt in 2012. The 'Ecco Homo' or 'Behold the Man' painting was created by Elias Garcia Martinez and hangs in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza in Spain. The painting was a valuable 19th century fresco. / Credit: Centro de Estudios Borjanos Cecilia Gimenez, a dedicated volunteer of the church, decided to 'restore' the painting as she was upset the image had been damaged by years of moisture decay. However, her artistic endeavour resulted in the religious painting being changed almost beyond recognition – delicate details of the face and beard were painted over, an ill-fitting tunic added and his head shape changed considerably. The painting looked so different, Spanish jokesters at the time renamed the painting revamped work 'Ecco Mono', or 'Behold the Monkey'. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Metro
16 hours ago
- General
- Metro
Work to fix 'botched' restoration of Virgin Mary statue leaves her 'even worse'
Spanish churchgoers have been left dismayed after a historical Virgin Mary statue which suffered 'botched' restoration work has returned from an emergency touch-up looking even more bizarre. The Macarena, a lifesized 17-century wooden effigy at the basilica of the same name in Seville, is considered a national treasure in the country. A routine restoration in June saw her take on a distinctly 'glamorous' look which sparked a protest of hundreds of outraged worshippers outside the basilica. Her eyelashes were lengthened to a point resembling false lashes, her skin was repainted paler and less swarthy, and various aspects of her dress and jewellery were changed. Worshippers told local media her facial expression 'completely changed' as a result, leaving her looking like a 'poor copy' of the original. One accused the lead restorer, 85-year-old Francisco Arquillo Torres, of 'murdering' the Macarena. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The Brotherhood of the Macarena shared a lengthy statement asking for 'forgiveness for the moral and devotional damage' caused by the work. The church closed and reopened on June 21 after having the restorers shorten the statue's eyelashes to correct an 'undesired effect'. Technicians from the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH) were called in to supervise the process. But the new version immediately drew complaints from both churchgoers and officials on the church's board who thought it looked even worse. Jorge Pulgar Salgado, 35, a member of the church brotherhood, told the New York Times his first thought was: 'Mother, what happened to you?' One worshipper told Spanish newspaper El Pais: 'Her facial expression has completely changed. It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.' The restorers met again that night but changed her expression even more. Over the coming weeks anger built up among the congregation and other residents of Seville who saw photos on social media. At the end of the month the church leaders called a gathering of 1,800 brothers to church and apologised before announcing the statue would be withdrawn for major restorations. A leading figure from the IAPH suggested the restorers had bungled their work but that the statue had 'deeper' problems include a possible insect infestation and a crack across the Virgin's face. The latest restoration began last week and could last three months, according to sources who spoke to Spanish newspaper El Pais. The Macarena's restoration has been likened to the infamous repainting of a painting of Christ in northern Spain – although arguably not quite as bad. The fresco was dubbed 'Monkey Christ' after 82-year-old restorer Cecilia Giménez left the 'Ecce Homo' (Behold the Man) fresco in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy church in Borja with a distinctly simian look. Although the painting was in dire need of TLC, her brushwork completely stripped the original of human semblance, creating an ape-like face widely mocked around the world. Last year locals and restorers in another Spanish city were outraged after an 18th-century church underwent a major makeover which left its cherubs looking like creepy homunculi. Locals said their facial expressions looked unnatural and 'permanently surprised', while their lips glowed a lurid red against their now ghost-white skin. Earlier this year an 1820 statue of the Virgin Mary and Jesusin a village in Poland met a similar fate. The Blessed Mother was left with unnatural yellowish skin, exaggerated features and almost no chin. 'It looks more like Bart Simpson than The Mother Mary,' one user commented on a Facebook post by renovators unveiling the new figure. Jesus was also repainted with the same yellowish hue while the clothing on his lower half now resembled grey joggers. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Former mayor dies trying to save town from wildfires sweeping southern Europe MORE: Smoke from apocalyptic wildfires in Spain and Portugal causing overcast UK skies MORE: Venetians are up in arms after tourists expose 'secret' €2 gondola rides
ITV News
17 hours ago
- General
- ITV News
'Divine doctor' called in to repair 'botched' Virgin Mary statue following protests in Seville
A restoration job of a sacred statue in Seville, Spain sparked protests after devotees described the makeover as "botched". The 5ft 9in wooden effigy of the Virgin of Hope of Macarena had her eyelashes extended, her skin tone tweaked and her nose adjusted in restoration work carried out by its usual restorer, 85-year-old Francisco Arquillo Torres. He has since laid low following backlash from devotees and locals who protested in June outside the Basilica de la Macarena where the statue is displayed. The Virgin Mary effigy before it was restored The 17th century figure made from pine wood and cypress is one Spain's most famed effigies and is annually paraded through Seville during Semana Santa or Holy Week. The Virgin Mary is one of a series of processions that take place during Easter to commemorate the Passion of Jesus Christ celebrated by Catholics. Devotees have rejected the new made-up Virgin Mary claiming that she is "not my Macarena". "Her expression is different. What they've done to her is unjust," one local told Spanish newspaper, El Pais. Following outrage over her appearance, Pedro Manzano, who has been heralded as the city's "doctor to the divine", has been called in to repair the restoration. The Virgin Mary statue after restoration Crowds of angry worshippers lined the streets outside the Basilica calling for the leader of the Brotherhood of the Macarena, the group which oversees the Virgin Mary's appearance, to step down. 'It's a big responsibility, there's nothing more dangerous than this job," Mr Manzano said in an interview with The Times. Shortly after the protests in June, the brotherhood shared a statement on X apologising for the failed restoration and acknowledged that the replaced eyelashes had caused "an undesired effect". "The Brotherhood apologizes to brothers and devotees for this incident, emphasizing that its aim has been, is, and will always be to preserve in the best possible conditions the greatest heritage possessed by the Macarenos, their Sacred Titular Images, and especially the Most Holy Virgin of Hope," it wrote on X. The botched effigy has been likened to a 19th century Spanish fresco painting which was destroyed after a DIY restoration attempt in 2012. The 'Ecco Homo' or 'Behold the Man' painting was created by Elias Garcia Martinez and hangs in the Sanctuary of Mercy Church near Zaragoza in Spain. Cecilia Gimenez, a dedicated volunteer of the church, decided to 'restore' the painting as she was upset the image had been damaged by years of moisture decay. However, her artistic endeavour resulted in the religious painting being changed almost beyond recognition - delicate details of the face and beard were painted over, an ill-fitting tunic added and his head shape changed considerably. The painting looked so different, Spanish jokesters at the time renamed the painting revamped work 'Ecco Mono', or 'Behold the Monkey'.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Virgin Mary 'glow-up' sparks outrage in Spain after statue's makeover 'left her looking like she got botched plastic surgery'
The restoration of an iconic 17th century statue of the Virgin Mary has sparked outrage among worshippers who claim it left her looking like she got 'botched plastic surgery'. La Macarena - a beloved 5ft 9in wooden effigy of the Virgin Mary in Seville, Spain - was sent out from her shrine back in June for some regular touch ups. However when she came back, furious devotees said they no longer recognised her face. Her glow-up saw her gain longer eye lashes, a changes to the colour of her complexion and tweaks to her skin and nose. La Macarena's usual restorer, Francisco Arquillo Torres, 85, is now in disgrace and lying low following the botched procedure. He had offered to do just a general check up, to remove the stains in tear duct and inspect her eyelashes. But Seville's faithful and those who travel from across the world to catch a glimpse of the figure during the city's Holy Week parades were left demanding answers. 'Her facial expression has completely changed,' one outraged worshipper told Spanish newspaper El Pais. 'It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.' 'It was like she got makeup,' another added to The New York Times. 'And the Macarena cannot be made up!' One woman even accused Mr Arquillo, a professor at the University of Seville who has worked on the figure for years, of 'murdering' the Virgen live on television. The makeover sparked huge protests in Seville and also triggered instability within the Brotherhood of the Macarena - the group entrusted with protecting her image. Hundreds of angry worshippers gathered outside the Basilica de la Macarena in June calling for the resignation of the brotherhood's leader. The church quickly issued an apology and closed for half a day while last minute touch ups were carried out. And when it reopened, the effigy, which is paraded around Seville every year during the city's historic Semana Santa celebrations, had shorter eyelashes. However, the changes did little to quell the unrest - with worshippers saying her facial expression had got even worse. Pedro Manzano, the Seville's 'doctor' to the divine, has now been entrusted to fix La Macarena's botched makeover. 'It's a big responsibility, there's nothing more dangerous than this job,' Manzano told The Times. 'If people don't like what you do, they can come at you on the street.' Nevertheless it is expected to be months before La Macarena reappears above the Basilica in Seville. The religious icon's controversial makeover has been likened to the botched art restoration of a painting of Jesus Christ, which resulted in the artwork being dubbed: 'Monkey Christ'. In 2012, Cecilia Giménez, 82, decided to touch up the 'Ecce Homo' (Behold The Man) fresco in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy church in Borja, northern Spain. However, her brushwork completely obliterated the face of Jesus transforming the painting into what locals described as more like a hedgehog or hairy monkey rather than Jesus. It also comes after a Polish village was left outraged earlier this year after a botched renovation of a 1820 shrine of Jesus and the Virgin Mary left the Blessed Mother looking like a 'Simpsons' cartoon character. Once described by experts as 'tall and slender', the Virgin Mary statue just outside the village of Stuszionka now has oversized mitten-like hands, exaggerated eyes and a crooked frown accentuated by bright red lipstick. The figure of Jesus, meanwhile, appears to be wearing grey underpants, and both figures have been repainted with an unnatural yellow hue. Posting a photo on Facebook, the Conservator of Monuments said: 'A rather rare depiction of the Virgin Mary looking upwards. 'Another example of good intentions... Let's hope that in the near future this valuable object will receive professional conservation, because it deserves it very much.' It added that the unknown restorer had also painted over the shrine's original German inscription, replacing it with the markings 'VII 2024, JC 2,' written in what appears to be a black marker pen. Locals vented their fury with the botch job, with some describing it as 'desecration'. Posting on social media, one outraged viewer said: 'The times of the greatest barbarity and ignorance of Spirit and Reason have come.' Another commented: 'I would take a risk and notify the prosecutor's office about offending religious feelings. Because this is nothing more than an example of desecrating an object of religious worship.'
