Botched painting restoration fuels calls for new rules to protect artworks
Conservationist claims politicians ‘don’t give a toss’ in wake of ‘Potato Madonna’ fiasco
Art lovers are calling for new rules governing restoration after a famous 17th century painting by Spanish artist Bartolome Esteban Murillo got an unwelcome makeover.
A private collector in Valencia reportedly paid €1,200 (£1,084) to a furniture restorer to clean a copy of The Immaculate Conception of Los Venerables. But “the job did not go as planned and the face of the Virgin Mary was left unrecognisable despite two attempts to restore it to its original state”, says The Guardian.
The Daily Mail adds that the restorer’s first effort left “Mary’s face disfigured”, and a “subsequent attempt to correct it just made it worse”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The incident is the latest in a string of bungled restoration attempts, including the infamous “Monkey Christ” incident eight years ago, when a parishioner tried to refresh a painting of Christ on the wall of a church in the northeastern Spanish town of Borja.
The so-called “Potato Madonna” row has prompted calls from Spain’s Professional Association of Restorers and Conservators (Acre) to impose government regulation on restoration.
“We see this kind of thing time and time again and yet it keeps on happening,” former Acre president Fernando Carrera, a professor at the Galician School for the Conservation and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, told The Guardian.
“I don’t think this guy, or these people, should be referred to as restorers. Let’s be honest - they’re bodgers who botch things up. They destroy things.”
Carrera added that part of the problem with regulating art restoration is that some politicians “just don't give a toss about heritage”.
However, some commentators have suggested that the latest restoration disaster might have an upside. Monkey Christ “enlivened his town’s stream of tourist cash, which has in turn allowed Borja to better care for its seniors”, says The Cut.
“His appearance in Borja has arguably proved something of a blessing, so perhaps we should not judge the Potato Madonna on her appearance,” the site adds. “Like mother like son, we hope.”
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
A history of student protest at Columbia University
The Explainer Anti-Israel demonstrations at NYC's Ivy League university echo protests against Vietnam War and South African apartheid
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
'Trump is ruled in contempt'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hainault sword attack: police hunt for motive
Speed Read Mental health is key line of inquiry, as detectives prepare to interview suspect
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Asturias: cool summers and verdant landscapes
the week recommends The region's 'trio of fine cities' offer everything from beaches to culture to fine dining
By The Week UK Published
-
Robot Dreams: 'utterly charming' animated feature is 'laced with comedy'
the week recommends The film follows the relationship between a lonely dog and the robot he builds for company
By The Week UK Published
-
The Master and Margarita: the new adaptation causing consternation at the Kremlin
Why Everyone's Talking About Pro-Putin groups have called for the film's director to be charged as a terrorist
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
The new 'boom' in Latin American fiction
Why everyone's talking about Almost a quarter of International Booker Prize longlist comes from South America, a region in turmoil
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Poonam Pandey: the Indian model who faked her own death
Why Everyone's Talking About The Bollywood star has a reputation for outlandish stunts
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Unsung heroes of the year 2023
Under the radar The Week salutes those whose remarkable achievements deserve greater recognition
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Miss Universe 2023: win for inclusion or nothing to celebrate?
Talking Point Beauty pageant included mothers, plus-sized models and trans women – but fails to distract from global conflict
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Finca Cortesin review: teeing off in style in Andalucia
The Week Recommends Pristine golf meets beach and spa paradise at the Solheim Cup host venue
By Alexandra Zagalsky Published