At a Glance
- Cecilia Giménez Zueco, the Beast Jesus creator, has died at 94.
- Her 2012 restoration of the Ecce Homo fresco in Borja sparked viral memes and boosted tourism.
- The town now attracts up to 20,000 visitors each year thanks to the painting.
- Why it matters: Her legacy shows how a single artistic act can shape a community and internet culture.
Cecilia Giménez Zueco, the woman who turned a neglected church fresco into an internet sensation, passed away just shy of her 95th birthday. Her 2012 restoration of the Ecce Homo fresco in Borja, Spain, earned the nickname Beast Jesus and became a meme icon, while also turning the town into a tourist hotspot.
From Fresco to Meme
The Ecce Homo fresco, painted by Spanish artist Elías García Martínez in the 1930s, had deteriorated by the early 2010s. In 2012, Giménez took on the task of restoring it, producing a version that many internet users called Monkey Jesus, Potato Jesus, or Ecce Mono. The result generated thousands of memes and even serious art criticism, yet the reaction remained surprisingly friendly.
Economic Impact on Borja
The restoration turned Borja into a destination. According to News Of Philadelphia, the town drew about 5,000 tourists a year before 2012, but in 2013 it welcomed 40,000 visitors, and today it attracts 15,000 to 20,000 guests. The town has since built an arts center dedicated to the painting and its history.
| Year | Visitors |
|---|---|
| Before 2012 | 5,000 |
| 2013 | 40,000 |
| Current | 15,000-20,000 |
Giménez also staged an exhibition of her own paintings in 2013, further cementing her influence on the local art scene.
Passing and Tribute
Giménez’s death was confirmed by Eduardo Arilla, the mayor of Borja, who posted a heartfelt obituary on Facebook. He described her as:
Eduardo Arilla stated:
> “a strong woman, a selfless mother, and a hard worker”
He called her:
> “irreplaceable”
and said he felt:
> “profound sadness”
The mayor expressed his profound sadness at her loss, hoping that she is now in the Pearly Gates with paintbrush in hand.
Key Takeaways
- Cecilia Giménez Zueco died at 94 after creating the Beast Jesus meme.
- Her 2012 restoration spurred a tourism boom, pulling Borja from 5,000 to 40,000 visitors in one year.
- The town now welcomes up to 20,000 visitors annually and honors her legacy with an arts center.
The Beast Jesus story reminds us that art can cross the boundaries of the church, the internet, and a small Spanish town, leaving a lasting mark that endures long after the artist’s passing.
