The controversy surrounds the 18th-century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Saliente in Albox, in Spain’s southern province of Almeria, Andalucia, following its reopening after several years of work.
Residents say one of the most striking figures, showing a demon defeated by the Archangel Michael, bears a remarkable resemblance to former Albox mayor Francisco Torrecillas.
Torrecillas, who served as mayor between 2016 and 2023, said: “The resemblance is enormous, I have nothing else to say.”
He has also described the situation as “not pleasant”.
Other figures have been compared with the current mayor, Maria del Mar Alfonso, and her first deputy mayor, Luisa Granero.
One female figure carries a staff of office and has been identified by some residents as resembling Maria del Mar, while another has been compared with Luisa.
A young local resident said: “They look very much like the mayor and Luisa.”
The frescoes also include detailed nude figures in religious scenes, particularly those connected with the Apocalypse, which have provoked further criticism from some visitors.
Residents opposed to the paintings have started a petition calling for them to be removed or altered.
One local said: “I don’t think it is right to have paintings that are so realistic in a church with so much history and dating from the 1700s.”
But artist Andres Garcia Ibanez has strongly denied using any of the politicians as models.
He said the figure compared with Torrecillas follows the traditional religious image of Saint Michael defeating the devil and was based on photographs of his own son and a friend posing several years ago.
The Almeria-born artist, who has worked professionally for more than 40 years, has also denied painting either the current mayor or her deputy.
Maria del Mar has distanced herself from the argument, saying questions about the origins of the figures should be directed to the artist.
She has also called for the dispute to be kept separate from the historic and cultural importance of the sanctuary.
The local Socialist Party has accused those responsible for the paintings of making “political use” of a religious building that it said should remain separate from party interests.
The party particularly criticised the alleged resemblance between some figures and members of the current local government.
The sanctuary stands on Mount Roel in the Sierra de las Estancias and is home to the Virgin of Saliente, popularly known locally as “The Little One” and the patron saint of Albox.
The current building began to be constructed during the second half of the 18th century and has been officially protected as a site of cultural interest since 1992.
Andres said he took inspiration from late 18th-century mural painting, including artists such as Tiepolo and Goya, while deliberately giving the work a personal and contemporary interpretation.
The project took around seven years and includes decoration of the dome and three apses, dozens of large religious paintings and a new altar.