A restoration of a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary in Seville, Spain, has sparked outrage among worshippers who say the changes left her looking like she had 'botched plastic surgery'. The wooden effigy, known as La Macarena, was sent for routine touch-ups in June but returned with longer eyelashes, a changed complexion, and alterations to her skin and nose.
Devotees protested outside the Basilica de la Macarena, demanding answers and calling for the resignation of the brotherhood's leader. One worshipper told Spanish newspaper El Pais: 'Her facial expression has completely changed. It pains me deeply to say it, but she looks like a poor copy of the original.' Another added: 'It was like she got makeup. And the Macarena cannot be made up!'
The restorer, Francisco Arquillo Torres, 85, a professor at the University of Seville who has worked on the figure for years, is now in disgrace. The church issued an apology and closed for half a day while last-minute touch-ups were carried out, shortening the eyelashes, but critics say her facial expression worsened.
Pedro Manzano, Seville's 'doctor' to the divine, has been entrusted to fix the botched makeover. He told The Times: 'It's a big responsibility, there's nothing more dangerous than this job. If people don't like what you do, they can come at you on the street.' The statue is expected to be out of public view for months.
The controversy has been likened to the 2012 botched restoration of a fresco of Jesus Christ in Borja, Spain, which became known as 'Monkey Christ'.
