Woman Who Destroyed Church’s Jesus Painting Wants Compensation For Her Work

When 80-year-old Cecilia Gimenez destroyed a fresco of Jesus Christ at the Santuario de Misericordia in Spain, she was extremely apologetic. Now that the painting — which had its title changed from Ecce Homo (Behold the Man) to Ecce Mono (Behold the Monkey) — has become extremely popular, the woman wants to be compensated for her work.

It was reported earlier this year that Giminez, 80, took it upon herself to restore the fading Ecce Homo at the Spanish church. The little old lady underestimated the project and ended up creating what is now known as the Jesus monkey. (And yes, if this reminds you about the scene of Mr. Bean in Bean, you’re not alone.)

After the incident, Giminez experienced tremendous anxiety. Gawker reports that the old woman has recovered from the trauma of destroying a historical painting and now wants to be compensated for her work.

The fresco of Jesus became an internet sensation after it was destroyed (improved) by Giminez. People have been flocking to the church to see it, and the woman believes that she should get a piece of the action. According to Ars Technica, the sanctuary’s owners, the Santi Spiritus Hospital Foundation, made about $2500 in just four days from people coming to see the painting.

El Correo reports that the church, which is trying to raise money to restore the painting from its botched restoration, has also hired lawyers to protect it from any sort of copyright lawsuit.

Do you think Cecilia Gimenez should be compensated for her work? She did, after all, make the painting famous. Of course, she did also destroy church property. What do you think?