As Prince Philip's Cambridge statue is removed after 'worst ever' criticism, ... trends now
Statues are physical representations of a person, often to commemorate and remember them. While receiving a statue can be seen as a great honour, sometimes they don't turn out quite as expected.
It was announced yesterday that a statue of Prince Philip would be torn down after the city council described it as 'possibly the poorest quality work' ever submitted.
It comes as the latest in a long list of controversial sculptures depicting a likeness of some of the world's biggest names, including footballers Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane, former First Lady Melania Trump, model Kate Moss, Queen Elizabeth II and The Rock.
So, it begs the question, what is the worst statue ever sculpted?
A controversial sculpture in Cambridge depicting Prince Philip is to be removed after being described by the city council as 'possibly the poorest quality work' ever submitted
Cristiano Ronaldo
One of the most memorable sculptures, was a bronze bust of Cristiano Ronaldo unveiled in 2017, that was mocked around the world for its bizarre facial expression.
Artist Emanuel Santos, who crafted the bust, publicly defended his work and insisted the Real Madrid striker liked it.
He admitted it took him 15 days to complete the statue and had to work off photos of the footballer because it would have been impossible to get the 'very busy' Ronaldo to model for him in person.
The statue of Cristiano Ronaldo at the ceremony at Madeira Airport to rename it Cristiano Ronaldo Airport on March 29, 2017
The bronze bust (right) was mocked around the world for looking nothing like the footballer (left), but artist Emanuel Santos defended his work saying 'you can't please everyone'
Melania Trump
In 2019, conceptual artist Ales Maxi Zupevc created what she claimed was the first-ever monument of Melania Trump - and unbelievably, it wasn't the last.
Unveiled near the former First Lady's hometown in Slovenia, some described the wooden statue as a 'disgrace', saying it looked like a 'Smurfette'.
But the statue, carved from a tree trunk, didn't last long as it was burned down that year by unnamed arsonists.
Months later, it found a new lease of life and was replaced with a bronze version.
This wooden statue by conceptual artist Ales Maxi Zupevc was the first-ever to be made of Melania Trump
Harry Kane
The Big Issue recently revealed pictures of a long-awaited resemblance of England captain Harry Kane commissioned by Waltham Forest Council.
But the reaction to the £7,200 statue did not quite go down as anticipated, as fans were quick to pronounce it the 'stuff of nightmares'.
One asked: 'Does any professional footballer have a decent statue? Why do they all look so bad?'
The statue of England captain Harry Kane - which was commissioned five years ago - has been pictured for the very first time
Kate Moss
Kate Moss was as you've never seen her before in a gold statue once displayed at the British Museum.
It cost more than £1.5million to make in 2008, and £1million of that was the price of the 18 carat gold.
The supermodel was for some reason twisted like a pretzel and the artwork was called 'Siren'.
But Kate herself seemed to be a fan according to artist Marc Quinn, who said at the time: 'When I showed Kate the statue she told me she loved it.'
Great gold! This supermodel's statue made her look like you've never seen her before
Andy Murray
The main - and only - thing Andy Murray had in common with his statue was his characteristically solemn expression during its unveiling.
Organisers at the 2011 Shanghai Rolex Masters tournament immortalised him in terracotta for the occasion.
The statue made sure he looked like a warrior, instead of a tennis player, even giving him a coat of armour.
If Andy Murray was confused by the statue during the unveiling, he was careful not to show it
