The Ecce Homo (Latin: "Behold the Man") in the Sanctuary of Mercy church in Borja, Spain, is a fresco painted circa 1930 by the Spanish painter Elías García Martínez depicting Jesus crowned with thorns.

[1][10] The authorities in Borja said they had suspected vandalism at first, but then determined that the alterations had been made by a parishioner, Cecilia Giménez, who was 81 years old at the time.

[11] She said on Spanish national television that she started to restore the fresco because she was upset that parts of it had flaked off due to excessive moisture on the church's walls.

Giménez defended herself, saying she could not understand the uproar because she had worked in broad daylight and had tried to salvage the fresco with the approval of the local clergyman.

"[12] News of the painting spread around the globe in August 2012 (the silly season[13]) on mainstream and social media, which promptly rose to the status of an internet phenomenon.

BBC Europe correspondent Christian Fraser said that the result resembled a "crayon sketch of a very hairy monkey in an ill-fitting tunic".

[21] Later on, Spanish actress Assumpta Serna co-produced with Wildcard UK a documentary called Fresco Fiasco and acted in the movie Behold the Monkey, two films about the restoration.

[13] By 2016, the number of tourists visiting the town had increased from 6,000 to 57,000 or even 200,000;[22][23][24] in addition to spending money with local businesses, visitors have donated some €50,000 to the church.