[imagesource: Antonio Guzmán Capel]

At this moment in history, we’re hearing more about statues being torn down than we are about statues being restored.

That doesn’t mean statues around the world aren’t touched up from time to time, Much like when an artwork restoration goes wrong, a proper botching often gains international attention, like this recent incident in Palencia, Spain.

The statue in question can be found on a building lining the town’s main street, and has been left severely disfigured after a mysterious restorer tried to repair its broken head.

How disfigured are we talking? Let’s start with this photo, shared by Palencia-based artist, Antonio Guzmán Capel:

Oh, dear.

We go closer in:

Houston, we have a problem.

For a point of comparison, here’s what the statue face used to look like, compared with now:

The eye in the middle of the forehead is a nice touch.

According to NPR, the statue was originally unveiled in 1923, and the botching has outraged experts.

You won’t need Google Translate to figure out that this tweet, from Spain’s Professional Association of Conservators and Restorers, is not full of praise for the restoration effort.

ESTO #NoEsRestauración. Es una intervención NO profesional.
👎

Polémica en Palencia por una restauración que deja hecho un «cristo» el relieve de una fachada https://t.co/18pEBXjKH4

— ACRE (@A_CR_E) November 9, 2020

Emojis are the new universal language.

[source:npr]