The idea was to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the birth of one of Britain’s greatest writers by erecting a beautiful statue in the cathedral.
But during a public meeting to discuss erecting a sculpture near Jane Austen’s final resting place in Winchester Cathedral, concerns were raised that it would lead to the “Disneyfication” of places of worship and attract tourists eager to visit. A selfie.
Elizabeth Proudman, Austin expert and leading figure in Austin arts Jane Austen Societyalso suggesting that the author himself would not approve of the statue and the fuss surrounding it.
She said: “We don’t know what she looked like, but we do know she was a very private person. She despised public attention.”
Austen is buried in the north aisle of Winchester Cathedral under a memorial stone which mentions “the extraordinary gift of her mind” No further details about her career were provided.
Hampshire Cathedral said the anniversary “provides an important opportunity to make her legacy even more visible” and There are plans to erect a statue in the inner enclosure.
Proudman said: “I don’t think any statue would be appropriate for this part of Winchester Cathedral. The inner gate is the monks’ private area and is a special place.
“I don’t think we want to turn it into Disneyland [the river that runs through the city]. I don’t think Inner Close is a place that attracts many American tourists to come and take pictures with Jane Austen. “
The £100,000 statue was built by Sculptor Martin Jennings created the official coin portrait of King Charles.
The statue of Austen he was still working on captured her standing next to her writing desk, prompting director Lizzie Dunford Jane Austen’s Birthplace In Chorton, Hampshire, questions why she is not portrayed as the person who actually wrote it.
After unveiling his preliminary model, Jennings said: “This is a work of imagination, as I must stress, is the case with every artwork. We have no idea what she looks like at all. I wanted the sculpture to express Her spirit.
“In life, she would have been shocked to be represented in this way. But in death, she belongs to all of us. I don’t think we infringed on her private personhood in any way. If she was writing, she The head will be lowered, lowered. The number is more energetic.”
The Rev. Dr. Roland Rimm, vice-dean of the cathedral, said: “This was not designed by a committee. We have to trust the creative process and trust Martin’s creative talent and experience.”
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