Sculptures are mocked after 'disastrous' restoration left historic cherubs looking like 'startled' cartoon figures at 300-year-old Spanish church

A 'disastrous' restoration of historical cherub sculptures successful Spain has been met pinch derision and outrage, pinch experts slamming nan 'cartoonish' efforts arsenic 'an onslaught connected heritage'.

Several decorations successful the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Mirón successful Soria, northbound eastbound of Madrid, were crudely repainted successful bold achromatic pinch elemental facial features and agleam reddish lips - opinionated retired against nan ornate and cautiously dressed up statues nearby.

Conservations branded nan cherubs' makeover 'disastrous' and 'disrespectful' to nan historical religion and section heritage.

Francisco Manuel Espejo, president of Spain's Conservators and Restorers association, stated: 'Those eyes and painted lips really drawback your attention.

'We are not conscionable talking astir a grounded restoration, but an onslaught connected our heritage.'

Spanish media likened nan botched occupation to nan celebrated 'Ecce Homo' restoration successful 2012, which was mockingly dubbed 'Monkey Christ' astatine nan time. 

'I don't think, fixed nan result, that immoderate master would person authorised doing thing for illustration this,' Espejo said.

He besides asked why a listed building, constructed successful 1725, underwent specified an extended makeover erstwhile it needed to beryllium signed disconnected by nan metropolis assembly and an expert.

The latest makeover included coating nan church’s interior on pinch respective cherub figures successful nan nave. 

'Cases for illustration this are beautiful rare, but we do regret that they're still happening, particularly erstwhile we're still calling connected nan authorities for a alteration successful nan law,' he added.

'Our practice isn't afloat protected and it intends things for illustration this tin still happen.'

Outraged by nan modular of nan work, nan practice group Soria Patrimonio posted photos connected societal media.

They besides included images of what nan religion looked for illustration earlier it was turned agleam pinkish pinch 'cartoonish' cherubs.

A group spokesperson said: 'What person they done to nan Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Mirón?

'We've ended up pinch nan ornamental elements being outlined and nan cherubs, which were achromatic before, becoming cartoonish.'

A spokesperson for nan diocese of Osma-Soria said: 'The activity was carried retired pinch nan required authorisation and immoderate group for illustration nan extremity consequence and others don't.

'We regret location is immoderate dissatisfaction, but it is simply a matter of taste.'

Soria City Council has yet to respond to nan backlash.

One section commented: 'I don't laughter retired of disrespect, but who restored it, nan slightest intelligent personification successful nan village?'

Another said: 'In my sentiment nan colour is not a problem, successful truth galore churches were primitively for illustration this, nan problem is that it has been done pinch small care.'

Geek Mom wrote: 'How horrible, that isn't a restoration aliases anything.'

In 2020, different restored statue attracted disapproval - and comparisons to nan Ecce Homo restoration - aft it was unveiled successful nan metropolis of Palencia.

The statue was replaced aft nan original came disconnected during restoration activity connected nan building it is portion of, Spanish news tract as.com reported. 

'It's much for illustration a animation caput than nan creator caput of 1 of Palencia's astir emblematic buildings,' section creator Antonio Guzman wrote successful a Facebook station alongside earlier and aft shots of nan statue.

Almudena Gonzalez, different local, wrote connected Facebook that nan restoration 'makes maine want to cry.'

'It's terrible. And to deliberation of each nan awesome artists we have.'

Local creator Guzman said nan restoration resembled nan infamous 'Monkey Christ' - an impromptu update of nan Ecce Homo fresco successful Borja which went viral successful 2012 aft a well-meaning section group to activity improving its faded colours contempt having nary creator training.

The effort was roundly was roundly mocked and drew accusations of vandalism from horrified creation fans who said nan Jesus depicted now looked for illustration a monkey.

The Ecce Homo (Behold nan Man) fresco was painted astir 1930 by Elías García Martínez but is unrecognisable successful its existent form which has been dubbed Behold nan Monkey.