Outrage as ‘restorer’ slaps house paint on ornate carvings
LOCAL government officials in Spain are investigating after a parishioner was allowed to “restore” ornate church carvings by simply painting the religious figures in garish colours.
Despite having no experience in restoration, María Luisa Menéndez was given permission to take home 15th and 16th-century wooden carvings from a church in Rañadoiro in the northern region of Asturias.
The result is what specialists have called “an absolute disaster”.
The Virgin Mary now sports a shocking pink robe, and along with St Anne, her mother, she has vivid red lips and baby Jesus is dressed in garish green.
In another, Mary has turned from brunette to platinum blonde, her clothes now a soft rose in a makeover that has drawn comparisons to Barbie.
Genaro Alonso, Asturias culture counsellor, expressed his “obvious displeasure” at what he called a “mess” and he said an investigation has already been launched.
Ms Menéndez has insisted villagers are pleased with her efforts, but Luis Suárez Saro, a restoration expert, lamented the fact that the carvings were covered in “a modern paint, the kind used to paint houses”.