Art critics DON'T hold back their disdain for Diana statue branded a ...

Art critics DON'T hold back their disdain for Diana statue branded a ...
Art critics DON'T hold back their disdain for Diana statue branded a ...

Art critics have laid into the new statue to Princess Diana after it was unveiled at Kensington Palace yesterday.

Experts panned the monument as 'an awkward, lifeless shrine' and a 'spiritless hunk of nonsense' in withering reviews in today's newspapers.

Others said sculpture Ian Rank-Broadley made her 'look grumpy' and his work 'doesn't capture her magic'.

But one, who admitted it was 'a little twee and far from perfect', welcomed the fact it looked like the late Princess of Wales.

Princes William and Harry unveiled the statue to their mother yesterday afternoon in their public meeting since Prince Philip's funeral in April.

The design was top secret and appears to be inspired by Diana's official 1993 Christmas card - her first sent without Prince Charles.

But rather than depict her with her boys as she appeared in the card, she is posed with three children - two of whom are not wearing shoes.

One of the boys in the statue appears to have short afro-style hair. The palace said 'it represents the universality and generational impact of The Princess' work.'

Art critics have laid into the new statue to Princess Diana after it was unveiled at Kensington Palace yesterday

Art critics have laid into the new statue to Princess Diana after it was unveiled at Kensington Palace yesterday

Today's newspapers were full of reviews of the statue and many were critical of how Diana is presented.

Jonathan Jones, writing in the Guardian, was scathing of the design, branding it: 'A nauseating, spiritless and characterless hunk of nonsense.'

He said: 'It is a religious image that shamelessly plays up to the most mawkish aspects of Diana worship.'

And he added 'for the statue group's emotive symbolism is undermined by its aesthetic awfulness'.

Jonathan Jones, writing in the Guardian, was scathing of the design, branding it: 'A nauseating, spiritless and characterless hunk of nonsense'

Jonathan Jones, writing in the Guardian, was scathing of the design, branding it: 'A nauseating, spiritless and characterless hunk of nonsense'

Alastair Sooke in the Telegraph was equally disgraced by the monument, saying it was 'less Madonna, more warrior in a piece of kitsch with a Soviet touch'.

The paper's chief art critic said: 'Broad-shouldered, thin-hipped, eyes narrowed, shirt defiantly unbuttoned, his Diana is combative and confrontational, not maternal.'

He added: 'Instead of dogs or deer scampering about at her feet, she has three sprogs - rendering the ensemble, at a stroke, as pure kitsch. There's a slightly Soviet vibe to the group, too.'

Alastair Sooke in the Telegraph was equally disgraced by the monument, saying it was 'less Madonna, more warrior in a piece of kitsch with a Soviet touch'

Alastair Sooke in the Telegraph was equally disgraced by the monument, saying it was 'less Madonna, more warrior in a piece of kitsch with a Soviet touch'

It appears to be inspired by Diana's official 1993 Christmas card - her first sent without Prince Charles - where she wears the same outfit open shirt and skirt as she smiles lovingly at her two sons

It appears to be inspired by Diana's official 1993 Christmas card - her first sent without Prince Charles - where she wears the same outfit open shirt and skirt as she smiles lovingly at her two sons

Meanwhile the Times' critic gave the memorial in London just two stars in her verdict.

Rachel Campbell-Johnston said: 'Laura Ashley monument is little better than the usual tat.'

She said 'Diana deserved much better,' adding: 'This statue is, aesthetically speaking, so horrible.'

Meanwhile the Times' critic gave the memorial in west London just two stars in her verdict

Meanwhile the Times' critic gave the memorial in west London just two stars in her verdict

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