Old woman "restores" painting in church

loreta

loreta

The Living Force
FOTCM Member
It is a painting 80 years old of Jesus, very beautiful but it needed to be restored. So an old woman decided by herself to take care of it. The result is absolutely horrendous. You can see by yourself what she did. It is a funny story but not so funny also. But look by yourself and you will see.

http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2012/08/23/actualidad/1345709139_149007.html

The first painting is the original. The second is before this old woman take things at hand. And the third one... is the result. :cry:
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

I think the situation is a very good example of the term "the road to hell was paved with good intentions". :halo: :evil:
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

It makes me laugh for 10 minutes straight :lol:
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

They are now doing a toy ! :wow:
 

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Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

The story was in the New York Times this morning. It looks like God has a new Face.
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

I may be the ONLY one who thinks so, but I haven't been laughing.

She's apparently mortified that this has become an international laughingstock. From the reports it seemed she was a devout old woman and she was trying to "fix it". The original was not all that great anyway in my opinion. Just deteriorating mediocre church art. I actually LIKE her painting in a Folk Art kind of way. There is a huge body of American Southern Folk Art that would be similar to this and collected for it's guileless simplicity. Is it awful? Maybe so, by everyone's standards of restoration.

Is this an emotional, rather than objective, response of mine? Probably so. As I examine my own feelings - to not laugh but reflect on the impulse to restore spiritual art - I have empathy for her being ridiculed. Do I identify with her embarassment? No, I don't. Has it happened to me? No, I don't go around repainting church art. Have I been ridiculed in my life? Yes, haven't we all?

I see a niave spiritual quality in her painting. I mean I don't obsess about it. But I see it differently. Just an observation. Is this wrong of me? Is it a faulty mechanical program in me?
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

Hello NewOrleans,

Yes, I do agree with what I understand you to say, that to laugh at this is really very unkind to the elderly woman who was only trying to help. I hope that she is not internet-literate - then maybe she won't know how "famous" she has become. At least her name is not publicized.

The fault really lies with whoever allowed her to do the restoration- without checking out her experience and abilities first.

I agree with you that the 'restoration' itself does have a particular naive, folk-art style, which can be appreciated on its on terms, but right now it is covering up ANOTHER painting of an entirely different style! I hope that this elderly lady can continue to paint her own paintings, on bare canvas next time.

So, fwiw, to me your reaction is externally considerate, compassionate. I had not thought of that myself, but was taking advantage of the laugh at someone else's expense.
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

NewOrleans said:
I may be the ONLY one who thinks so, but I haven't been laughing...
Click to expand...

I have been laughing at the "authorities" more than anything else. She protested that she did her work in plain view of those responsible for the painting, and they said nothing. It's a good point, and I suspect that if anyone is charged with anything, it should be those people. But since they are "important" and she is not, I can guess how this might go, especially if they are of corrupt character and she feels "mortified."
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

I agree. she did what she can do. If she charged for some thing for the restoration, they can ask for refund. It is authorities responsibility for the failed attempt.
 
Re: An old woman decided to restored a painting in a church

It's funny, but in a tragic way. I laughed with discomfort. I laughed at the situation, but felt horrible for the poor woman, who obviously was unaware of the limitations of her abilities and, hopefully had the best of intentions. However, I must say, I have met my share of people who overestimate themselves out of pure arrogance, not realizing the amount of skill and talent, which can take years to develop, and jump in to do something in a rather boastful way, only to botch it up. Of course, those people often blame external factors and never seem to learn it was their overvalued sense of self and undervalued sense of requirements that got them in trouble. I don't know what this older lady is like, but I'd like to believe she simply had the best of intentions, truly felt she could do the job and, without any hope for ego gratification, took to doing the work.

Gonzo
 
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