This combo pictures shows a sculpture before (right) and after being restored (left) on the exterior of an ornate office building in the city of Palencia, Spain, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020. Restoration work on a sculpture in northern Spain has resurrected memories of a restored Christ fresco in another Spanish city eight years ago that drew ridicule as well as tourists. (AP Photo/Alberto Calleja -left image- & Agencia ICAL -right image-)
By Ciarán Giles
Restoration work on a sculpture in northern Spain has resurrected memories of a restored Christ fresco in another Spanish city eight years ago that drew ridicule as well as tourists.
The latest incident concerns a relief sculpture on the exterior of an ornate office building in the city of Palencia. What was once the bust of a smiling woman now looks more like the head of a cartoon character.
The disfigurement was bought to light by a local artist who lives near the office building and was tipped off by a florist on his street. Antonio Capel posted before and after photographs on his Facebook page, triggering a flurry of social media reaction and attention from journalists.
“I was surprised. How could they have done this?” Capel told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "This must be at least 10-years-old, and we’re only finding out now.”
He said the 20th-century building belongs to a bank but tenants decided to fix the façade some years ago.
Now, Spanish media are showing images of people stopping to stare up at the building and to take photos.
The poorly done restoration drew immediate comparisons with an “Ecce Homo” fresco in the northern Spain town of Borja. A local amateur artist decided the circa 1930 depiction of Christ at the Sanctuary of Mercy church needed restoration, but the face she produced in 2012 immediately drew comparisons to a monkey.
View of the deteriorated version of 'Ecce Homo' mural by 19th-century painter Elias Garcia Martinez, at the Borja Church in Zaragoza, Spain, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. (AP Photo/Javier Vinuela)
However, her work turned into a Borja tourist attraction. It remains to be seen if the Palencia job will have the same effect.
A Palencia City Hall spokesman who declined to offer a name following internal procedure was unable to say when the work was carried out or by whom but said the restoration would most likely be investigated by regional authorities.
Gregg Renfrew, founder and CEO of Beautycounter, joins Cheddar News to discuss the company's CEW nominated product 'Beyond Gloss.' Renfrew also discussed the company's holistic approach to sourcing its ingredients.
Could Alec Baldwin face legal consequences after accidentally shooting and killing a cinematographer on the set of 'Rust'? That's a question many in Hollywood are asking after the tragic death of Halyna Hutchins. Some in the industry are even asking for a ban on guns on the set of films and television shows. Dan Gilleon, lead trial attorney at the Gilleon Law Firm, discusses the potential legal consequences for all involved in the accident, saying "everyone will be sued."
'None of the Above' host JD Durkin breaks down season three, episode two of 'Succession' and reveals whose stock is up, whose stock is down, and who is this week's Boar on the Floor.
Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins "Cheddar Reveals" to discuss how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.
Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, joins 'Cheddar Reveals' to discuss the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.
On this episode of Cheddar Reveals, Tim LeBel, President of Sales and Chief Halloween Officer at Mars Wrigley, discusses the M&M's 80th birthday, what goes into maintaining an iconic brand, and how Mars Wrigley plans for future Halloweens.; Deacon Hayes, founder of Well Kept Wallet, joins to break down how 2021 Halloween spending compares to previous years and how to best prepare for the influx of holiday spending.; Cheddar gets a look at Curiosity Stream's 'Witches: A Century of Murders.'
If you went trick-or-treating as a child, did your parents warn you against the possibility of poisoned candy? Did they forbid you from trying anything before they inspected your Halloween haul? We asked some experts from The Conversation to explain the fanciful origins of this annual panic and its very real consequences. Stay tuned to discover the real dangers lurking on Halloween night…
