Winchester Cathedral has denied a £100,000 statue dedicated to Jane Austen will turn the historic area into “Disneyland”.
The Hampshire cathedral announced Martin Jennings' sculpture would be unveiled next year to commemorate what would have been the English novelist’s 250th birthday.
Jennings, who is perhaps best-known for King Charles III’s Royal Mint portrait, designed a life-sized five-foot-seven-inch statue just a stone’s throw away from the writer’s burial site.
Critics have warned the sculpture could ensure “America tourists” descend on the cathedral to take selfies.
Winchester Cathedral is going to include a sculpture to English novelist Jane Austen
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The design has also come under fire after some people argued Austen hated publicity and would not have been overly keen on the idea.
Catherine Ogle, the Dean of Winchester, issued a stinging response to the critics.
She said: “It is well-known that Austen was a Hampshire-born woman and she would have known Winchester and recognised the Cathedral Close as it remains today.
“The proposed location of the statue in the Inner Close is close to the route she would have taken when visiting her nephews at the nearby Winchester College and her friends at No12 The Close.
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Jane Austen was said to have hated publicity
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“This route also became her final journey from her College Street lodgings adjacent to Winchester College, the funeral procession to her place of rest in the Cathedral.
“The Cathedral has hoped to give Jane Austen a fitting tribute as a sculpture for some years.
“The opportunity has now arisen with a significant number of private donors and small grant providers keen to see in place the splendid and sensitive design by the acclaimed sculptor Martin Jennings.
“These funds are restricted by the donors to this project only.”
Jennings added his weight to defending the sculpture, adding: “I don't think we have, in any way, invaded her private personality - she was sure of her worth as a writer.”
Winchester Cathedral could soon see 'American tourists' descend on the landmark
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The pair fired back after a number of critics emerged to pour damp water over the project.
Phil Howe, from Hidden Britain Tours, accused Winchester Cathedral of “hijacking” Austen’s brand.
Elizabeth Proudman, ex-chair of the Jane Austen Society, added: “We don't know what she looked like but we do know that she was a very private person.
“She despised publicity - this statue speaks for feminism but that is not what Jane Austen was all about.”
Jane Austen’s House director Lizzie Dunford also said: “[I] think any statue should encompass her sense of strength and self-belief, even if that doesn't necessarily look modest. Also, why didn't you choose to have her writing?”
