‎'The once-dignified portrait now resembles a crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic'

[Kveta]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-19349921

DH and I have actually been weeping with mirth at this picture for some reason. just the most ridiculous restoration ever :o

This has made my evening! Thank you so much for the gift of this article!!

At first I thought this was another thread about Galloway, but the restoration is better looking.

That is surely the best thread title of all time!

Did the old bird just let herself into the chapel with the matchpots and get going or something? Surely there was a point between 'crumbling icon' and 'PG Tips' when someone could have stopped her?

At first I thought this was another thread about Galloway, but the restoration is better looking

I do feel sorry for the old lady though!!

:o at Galloway!!

Oh bless her daft old socks. There's something very Harry Hill-ish about the whole story ..

Hilarious! Like something out of the Vicar of Dibley. But she is obviously distressed, poor thing ... It's such a shame - but she probably won't be able to see the funny side.

And I bet the priest did know all about it, but letting her take the blame.

So glad you posted this.
I have been chuckling all day.
It's even funnier after a glass of wine.

I hope they keep it as it is.
The church could make a fortune charging entry.

Didn't something similar happen in a Mr bean film?

Oh, poor old thing. She must have had that dreadful sinking feeling when she stepped back to look at it and saw a gibbon.

Oh dear.

It made me laugh, but now feel guilty for laughing.

:) Might make the art world weep, but I have laughed a lot.

oh I know its bad to laugh but couldn't stop last night... Bless her!

Oh it's an awful desecration and I actually think she should be prosecuted or committed to mental health institution. If someone stole a piece of world-class art they'd be locked up. It's only because every is thinking 'daft old dear' that it isn't being taken more seriously. It is funny because it is SO ridiculous and awful but if the original can't be restored, we've lost it forever.

that is how I know I should feel wilf but still...

I bet she is mortifed, it does beg the question what on earth was she thinking, and maybe she does need to be assessed for state of mind

And if its gone its awful, it really is, but still..

Oh dear oh dear oh dear. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and now the image of Christ is smeared with them too.

It reminds me of that bit in Father Ted where he tries delicately to hammer a tiny dent out of a brand new car he has won, and hours of delicate hammering later he comes to, and realises he has delicately smashed it to a pulp.

And I do agree with Wilf. It is devastating, really, and I do think she should be prosecuted.

Oh God, I laughed.

Who is to say this won't be considered a masterpiece in the distant future.

The Mona Lisa is pretty crap IMO and people seem to like that OK.

It wasn't exactly a masterpiece to begin with.

I think the priest asked her to do it but is now letting her take the rap as she did such a bad job. I know it's a shame that this artwork is gone but it did make me chuckle. Maybe a professional restorer can help or even a forger could make it look more like it's supposed to do.

I don't think the priest did ask her to do it. Didn't they get funding from the artist granddaughter to get it restored?

Well, on the upside when I was at church they used to tell us that it didn't matter that we couldn't sing, it was what was in our hearts that sounded good to God.

So, in theory as she did this with the best of intentions and with presumably the love of God in her heart, he should be quite pleased with the outcome.

So, in short, if God doesn't like it then he should have given her better painting skills, and if he does like it then who are we to question?

Still makes me laugh.