Unholy commercial row blows up over fresco

Published on 22/09/2012 00:00

LAWYERS acting for a pensioner who caused a global stir following her botched restoration of a fresco of Christ say they are investigating possible copyright infringements after the image began appearing on t-shirts, cellphone covers and coffee mugs.

Cecilia Gimenez, 80, disfigured the church painting in the Spanish town of Borja after she attempted to restore the badly faded work, which depicts Christ with a crown of thorns before crucifixion.

The town became a curious destination for people who want to see the restoration, leading the owners of the church to begin charging admission.

Meanwhile, internet entrepreneurs have quickly moved in to cash-in on the phenomenon, printing the image on a seemingly endless range of products to sell online.

Ms Gimenez’s lawyers say she has no interest in a cut of any the church’s admission takings, but could pursue payments from those using the image to sell products, although whatever she earns would go to charity.

Lawyers said that she “regrets and deplores that commercial brands are financially exploiting a situation that began in total good faith, and which should be restricted to the human level beyond business or commercial interests”.

Borja, known for its wine, has since become a tourism draw.