Public art has the power to inspire, provoke, and honor, but sometimes it can also bemuse, offend, or downright horrify. The unveiling of a new bronze sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II has sparked a wave of reactions, not all of them flattering. The piece by Anto Brennan, meant to celebrate the late monarch, has instead drawn comparisons to the beloved character Mrs. Doubtfire, played by Robin Williams in the eponymous 1993 comedy.


The sculpture, which was revealed in Northern Ireland, has become the latest in a series of public artworks that have attracted more mockery than admiration. The artist's vision, while undoubtedly sincere, has been met with such an onslaught of ridicule that comments on the Facebook post announcing the sculpture had to be turned off.


But as our members well know, art is subjective, and this isn't the first time a statue has missed the mark in the public's eyes. Let's take a stroll down the not-so-hallowed halls of infamous sculptures to see how the new Queen Elizabeth II statue measures up.


The Ronaldo Bust That Went Viral
One cannot forget the bronze bust of football superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, which became an internet sensation for all the wrong reasons. The statue, which was unveiled in 2017 at Madeira airport, bore a facial expression that many found comical and hardly recognizable as the handsome athlete. Sculptor Emanuel Santos defended his work, stating that Ronaldo himself approved of the bust, but that did little to quell the laughter it inspired across social media.

Greta Thunberg's 'Greenwash' Statue
In 2021, the University of Winchester installed a £24,000 sculpture of climate activist Greta Thunberg, only to face backlash from students who labeled it a 'greenwash' and criticized the expenditure. The statue was eventually moved to a more secluded spot, perhaps in an attempt to escape the controversy it had sparked.

The 'Poorest Ever' Prince Philip Statue
A £150,000 bronze sculpture of Prince Philip, dubbed 'The Don', was slated to be removed after Cambridge City Council deemed it 'possibly the poorest quality work' ever submitted. The statue, which was meant to honor the Duke of Edinburgh's role as Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University, was criticized for its 'harmful material impact' on the area's appearance.


The Waxwork of Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson
Even celebrities aren't immune to the curse of questionable likenesses. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson was less than impressed with his waxwork at The Musée Grévin in Paris, taking issue with the figure's lighter skin tone. The actor vowed to contact the museum to request an 'update' to the waxwork's complexion.

Kate Moss's Golden Twist
On the flip side, a solid gold statue of supermodel Kate Moss, titled 'Siren' and valued at over £1.5 million, was unveiled at the British Museum in 2008. Despite the public's mixed reactions to the pretzel-like pose, Moss herself was reportedly thrilled with the piece, according to artist Marc Quinn.

Andy Murray's Terracotta Transformation
Tennis champion Andy Murray was immortalized in terracotta at the 2011 Shanghai Rolex Masters tournament, but the statue bore little resemblance to the sportsman, instead portraying him as a medieval warrior complete with armor. The solemn expression on the statue's face was perhaps the only accurate representation of Murray's on-court demeanor.


These examples serve as a reminder that art, especially when it ventures into the realm of public statues, is a tricky business. The new sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II may have joined the ranks of these controversial pieces, but it also continues the conversation about the role of public art and the challenges of capturing well-known figures in a medium as unforgiving as bronze or terracotta.
To our dear members, we pose the question: What do you think of the new Queen Elizabeth II sculpture? Have you encountered any public art that has left you scratching your head or chuckling under your breath? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below – we'd love to hear your take on the matter!