March 29, 2024 The voice of all eras.

Is that Virgin Mary? The latest botched art restoration in Spain

June 26, 2020

June 26, 2020

Sharing is caring!

Spain has been hit by yet another what they call an ‘incompetent’ restorer who left the famous painting of Virgin Mary unrecognizable after botched art restoration. A famous painting of the Immaculate Conception by baroque artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo has become the newest in a long line of botched art restorations in Spain.

Criticisms circulated when the result of restoring the original painting did not go as planned. Experts deemed for the artwork to have suffered a damaging and disfiguring repair. People in Spanish art conservation community filled with outrage and disappointments when they’ve seen the face of Virgin Mary who was left unidentifiable.

Because of this recent incident, conservation experts in Spain have called for a tightening of the laws concerning restoration work. According to The Guardian, a private art collector in Valencia was reportedly charged €1,200 by a furniture restorer to have the picture of the Immaculate Conception cleaned.

Despite efforts that involve two attempts to restore the artwork, the outcome was nowhere near or close to its original state.

Image of the original work (left) and the result after the two inappropriate interventions in the piece | Cedida por Coleccionista/Europa Press 2020

“I don’t think this guy – or these people – should be referred to as restorers,” Fernando Carrera, former president of Spain’s Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators, told the Guardian. “Let’s be honest: They’re bodgers who botch things up. They destroy things.”

There’s a similar instance that happened eight years ago with the infamous “Monkey Christ.” A devout parishioner’s attempt to restore a painting of the scourged Christ on the wall of a church on the outskirts of the north-eastern Spanish town of Borja. The unacceptable result of the restoration has made it to the national news.

The Guardian reported about the former president of Spain’s Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators (Acre) dismay with regards to the current restoration practice. Carrera said that the law is currently allowing people to engage in restoration projects even if they lacked the necessary skills.

“Can you imagine just anyone being allowed to operate on other people? Or someone being allowed to sell medicine without a pharmacist’s license? Or someone who’s not an architect being allowed to put up a building? While restorers were “far less important than doctors,” he added, the sector sill needed to be strictly regulated for the sake of Spain’s cultural history. “We see this kind of thing time and time again, and yet it keeps on happening.

Carrera further explained, “Paradoxically, it shows just how important professional restorers are. We need to invest in our heritage, but even before we talk about money, we need to make sure that the people who undertake this kind of work have been trained in it.”

Maria Borja, one of ACRE’s vice presidents, told Europa Press – which broke the news of the Murillo repair – that this kind of incident is “unfortunately far more common than you might think.” She added, “We only find out about them when people report them to the press or on social media, but there are numerous situations when works are undertaken by people who aren’t trained.”

Carrera urges the government or politicians to give an equitable interest and importance on this item. To preserve cultural and historical heritages and allotting financial resources to safeguard Spain’s past treasures. “We need to focus society’s attention on this so that it chooses representatives who put heritage on the agenda,” he said, according to The Guardian.

He also added, “It doesn’t have to be at the very top because it’s obviously not like healthcare or employment – there are many more important things. But this is our history.”

The continuing incidents of failed repairs like these have led experts to reiterate the importance of increased regulations covering art restoration to preserve Spain’s rich history and culture further.

Related Posts

Camila Cabello Teams Up with Playboi Carti for Euphoric Single ‘I LUV IT’

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Camila Cabello just unleashed ‘I LUV IT’, a sizzling collaboration with hip-hop maverick Playboi Carti, and it’s everything fans could...

Uniting Style and Sport: Y-3 and Real Madrid Launch a Striking Matchwear Collection

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

When Style Meets the Stadium In an electrifying blend of high fashion and high-stakes football, Y-3 and Real Madrid have...

RIMOWA’s New Beat: Introducing the Hammerschlag Collection

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Hammerschlag Collection: RIMOWA Strikes a Chord with Heritage and Craftsmanship If you thought RIMOWA was all about sleek lines...

EXO’s D.O. is Coming to Singapore for His First Solo Concert

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Exciting update, Exo-L and Dandanies! Mark your calendars for September because the South Korean actor and idol will hold his...

What’s New? Malaysia’s Viral ‘US Pizza’ Now Sizzles Hot in Singapore

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Time to dig in for some cheesy goodness with the store’s renowned cheese boat pizza! Guess we can all agree...

Get Ready to Fly High with “House of the Dragon” Season Two: What You Need to Know

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

If you’re anything like us, your heart probably did a little somersault when you heard the news: House of the...

South Korea’s Bestselling Sagwadang Apple Pies Are Now in Singapore—For a Limited Time Only!

March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024

The pop-up store is open for just two weeks, from March 18 to April 7. There’s something about apple pies...

Wander and Wonder at Singapore’s Newest Outdoor Attraction: Sensoryscape in Sentosa

March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024

Going for a walk has never been this exciting. Yep, it’s finally open. Making your Sentosa Island experience even more...

Delving into the Steamy Secrets of ‘Supersex’—Netflix’s Most Daring and Explicit Series Yet

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

No, this isn’t your typical thirst trap tale. There’s a seductive depth to Rocco Siffredi beyond his moniker as the...

CeraVe Hits Singapore: The Ultimate Skincare Game-Changer Has Arrived

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Hey, Singapore! Say goodbye to your skincare woes, because CeraVe is here to transform your daily regimen. That’s right, the...

Netflix is Dropping ‘Black Mirror’ Season 7 in 2025, Including Sequel to ‘USS Callister’

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

The hit sci-fi anthology will return with six new episodes. Confirmed: Black Mirror is poised to stimulate our minds once...

Cherry Blossoms on Your Plate: The Ultimate Guide to Sakura-Themed Eats

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Hey foodies, spring has officially sprung, and it’s not just the cherry blossoms that are popping – Japanese eateries are...

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine Turn Up the Heat in the Steamy Adaptation of ‘The Idea of You’

March 11, 2024

March 11, 2024

The R-rated romantic drama is said to draw inspiration from the former boy band royalty, Harry Styles. Following their iconic...

Beyond ‘The Eras Tour,’ Singapore’s Got Some Cool Stuff Happening This March 2024—Check It Out!

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

Enjoy the other upcoming festivities, musicals, tasty culinary experiences, International Women’s Day celebrations, and more! The year 2024 has been...

Shine Bright Like a Diamond: Kiehl’s Launches The Ultimate Skin Experience with Bright Vachirawit in Singapore

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

Hey, glow-getters and skincare aficionados! If you’re all about achieving that coveted glass skin look that literally makes you shine...