Botched Restoration of Virgin of Macarena Sparks Outrage in Seville

0
589
Our Lady of Hope of Macarena (By Mflito - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, wikimediacommons)
Our Lady of Hope of Macarena (By Mflito - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, wikimediacommons)

Botched restoration of Virgin of Macarena in Seville sparks outrage, reminiscent of “Potato Jesus” and Polish “Simpsons Madonna” debacles.

Newsroom, June 25, 2024, Gaudium Press – The recent conservation work on the revered statue of Our Lady of Hope of Macarena, a cornerstone of Spanish devotion, has ignited widespread controversy among devotees in Seville. The alterations, particularly the addition of false eyelashes and changes to the Virgin’s iconic expression, have left many faithful feeling that the image they have venerated for generations is unrecognizable.

Housed in the Basilica of Macarena, the Virgin of Macarena is a central figure in Seville’s Holy Week celebrations. The statue was briefly removed from public view for five days to undergo maintenance, returning on June 21, 2025. However, the initial modifications — including changes to the eyes, eyebrows, and complexion — prompted immediate backlash. That same day, conservators made two additional adjustments to reduce the eyelashes and retouch the statue’s appearance, but the changes failed to quell the growing discontent.

“It’s not my Virgin,” one devotee lamented on X, echoing the sentiments of many who gathered outside the basilica on June 23 to protest. Social media platforms have been flooded with comparisons of the statue’s appearance from 2016, 2022, and post-restoration, with captions decrying the “tired” and “sad” expression now on the Virgin’s face. One post read, “Her children and Seville are demanding an explanation.”

The controversy draws parallels to other infamous restoration mishaps. In 2012, an amateur restoration of a fresco of Jesus Christ in Borja, Spain, dubbed “Potato Jesus,” became a global sensation for its cartoonish outcome. Similarly, in 2018, a 16th-century Madonna statue in Poland, altered to resemble a Simpsons character, sparked ridicule and outrage. These cases highlight the delicate balance between preserving sacred art and maintaining its spiritual resonance for devotees.

In response to the uproar, Seville’s Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses addressed the issue on X on June 24, urging unity and forgiveness: “To err is human, to forgive is divine, to rectify is wise.” The Brotherhood of the Macarena, the confraternity responsible for the statue’s care, issued a formal apology for the “moral and devotional damage” caused. Two senior officials of the brotherhood resigned following an emergency meeting.

The conservation work was led by Francisco Arquillo Torres, a veteran restorer who has worked on the statue since 1978. The brotherhood explained that the false eyelashes, applied just before dressing the statue, may have shifted due to wet adhesive, partially closing the Virgin’s eyes. Despite subsequent adjustments, the aesthetic issues persisted, prompting the brotherhood to engage additional specialists and the Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage for technical oversight.

The governing board has promised to convene an extraordinary general council to review the restoration process and determine further actions. For now, the faithful of Seville remain divided, grappling with the altered visage of their beloved Virgin and hoping for a resolution that restores both her appearance and their trust.

  • Raju Hasmukh with files from CNA and X

Related Images: