Touching Up

50 Shades of Gray

The Color: Field and Form series to date

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UPDATED: Sunday, August, 26
By now you've all read the story and seen the pictures of what happened when Cecilia Gimenez, an amateur painter, undertook the "restoration" of a 19th-century fresco of Jesus, Ecce Homo, in the small church of the Santuario de Misericordia in Borgia, Spain. (Story here from El Pais, where it originated, and here from Gawker in translated retelling.)  The result was, um, less than expected.

From left, Ecce Homo by Elias Garcia Martinez, two years ago; its condition last month; and just after repainting. Image from Gawker story 

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Things got worse from there. The family of the artist is horrified, but the "restored" fresco has become a tourist attraction. Of course it has spawned a host of parodies. The following images are from Facebook, the Internet in general, and personal email messages:

Mona Lisa, Mona Lisa, men have named you.--Nat King Cole

But it took a Facebook post to maim you

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The Last Restoration

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My Facebook friend, Joe Merrell, posted this to my Timeline

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Paint what you know, right Bob Ross?

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Yes, you have the punchline for this one: The restoration really went to the dogs. That's Rowlf, of course

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Then, just when I thought I was finished, my buddy Zach Alan sent me links to more. If I don't have attributions or if I get them wrong, please let know. My intention is to include not exclude.

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Everyone knows the Sistine Chapel just got a restoration. So I'm surprised it was Adam's face that got the addition. From the Beast Jesus Restoration Society, where you'll see much more

 

Well, now we have to call it Piss-poor Christ, image via Zach Alan on Facebook

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"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." --Vincent Can Gogh

If, however, you hear that voice tell you to restore paintings, then by all means cut off your ear. Image via Zach Alan on Facebook

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That whirring sound you hear is Gustav turning in his grave. From the  Behold Thee Face ov God blog

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You can only imagine that face on the Rockwell Thanksgiving turkey. Image from Lynn Basa on Facebook via John Nagus 

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Salvador Dali, Christ of St. John of the Cross, by Michael Jaecks via Lori Ellison

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Munch's screamer would if he could. Image Via the Internet

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 Andy's Marilyn gets a makeover in honor of Cecilia Gimenez's 15 minutes of fame