Botched Restoration of 16th-Century Spanish Statue of Saint George Sparks Outrage
The Incident
A recent attempt to restore a 16th-century polychrome wooden statue of Saint George in the Church of St. Michael in Estella, Spain, has gone disastrously wrong. The statue, once a fine example of its kind, has been transformed into a cartoonish figure with a fleshy peach face and wide brown eyes, one of which appears to have wandered off to the side. The armor, horse, and saddle have been slathered in thick, monochromatic swathes of gray and red.
The Culprit
The botched restoration was carried out by a local art teacher who was hired by the parish priest. The teacher, who lacked the necessary skills and expertise, has effectively obliterated the original composition and detail of the statue.
Expert Condemnation
Carmen Usua, a restorer in the Navarre region, was one of the first to bring the incident to public attention. She expressed her dismay and frustration, stating that it takes years to acquire the skills necessary for such restorations.
Koldo Leoz, mayor of Estella, was equally outraged. He criticized the parish for taking matters into their own hands and hiring an unqualified person for the job. He noted that the statue is a 16th-century work of art that should have been restored by experts using appropriate techniques.
Legal Action
The Association of Conservators and Restauradores of Spain has announced that it will bring a case against the church to the Navarra prosecutor’s office. The association is seeking a fine for the negligence and damage caused by the botched restoration.
Comparisons to “Monkey Jesus”
The botched restoration has drawn comparisons to the infamous “Monkey Jesus” incident in 2012. In that case, an elderly painter in the town of Borja attempted to restore a flaking fresco of Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, with disastrous results. The fresco, which became known as “Monkey Jesus,” became a worldwide sensation and attracted a surge of tourism to Borja.
Potential Tourism Boon
Some believe that the botched restoration of the St. George statue could have a similar effect on Estella. The town has already seen an increase in visitors since news of the incident spread.
Negligence and Lack of Expertise
The botched restoration highlights the importance of using qualified professionals for art restoration projects. The use of inappropriate techniques and materials can cause irreparable damage to valuable works of art.
The Future of the Statue
It is unclear at this time how the statue will be fixed or if that is even possible. Experts have expressed concern that the original layers of paint may have been lost during the botched restoration.