Botched restoration of cherub statues in historic church branded ‘cartoonish’

The ‘botched‘ restoration of several cherub statues in a 300-year-old church has been slammed as “cartoonish” by experts.

Conservations branded the makeover “disastrous” and “disrespectful” to the historic church and local heritage.

Restoration work was carried out at the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Mirón in Soria, north east of Madrid, Spain.

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Spanish media likened the botched job to the famous ‘Ecce Homo’ restoration in 2012, which was dubbed ‘Monkey Christ’ at the time.

The latest makeover included painting the church’s interior along with several cherub figures in the nave.

Outraged by the standard of the work, the heritage group Soria Patrimonio posted photos on social media.

They also included images of what the church looked like before it was turned bright pink with “cartoonish” cherubs.

The childlike angels have been painted white with bright red lips and simple facial features, as reported by What’s the Jam.

A group spokesperson said: “What have they done to the Ermita de Nuestra Señora del Mirón?

“We’ve ended up with the decorative elements being outlined and the cherubs, which were white before, becoming cartoonish.”

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

“We are not just talking about a failed restoration, but an attack on our heritage.

“I don’t think, given the result, that any specialist would have authorised doing something like this.”

He also asked why a listed building, constructed in 1725, underwent such an extensive makeover when it needed to be signed off by the city council and an expert.

Espejo said: “Cases like this are pretty rare, but we do regret that they’re still happening, especially when we’re still calling on the authorities for a change in the law.

“Our heritage isn’t fully protected and it means things like this can still happen.”

A spokesperson for the diocese of Osma-Soria said: “The work was carried out with the required authorisation and some people like the end result and others don’t.

“We regret there is some dissatisfaction, but it is a matter of taste.”

Soria City Council has yet to respond to the backlash.

One local commented: “I don’t laugh out of disrespect, but who restored it, the least intelligent person in the village?”

Another said: “In my opinion the colour is not a problem, in fact many churches were originally like this, the problem is that it has been done with little care.”

Geek Mom wrote: “How horrible, that isn’t a restoration or anything.”

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