As Prince Philip's Cambridge statue is removed over 'worst ever' criticism, how does it measure up to other sculpted depictions of Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and The Rock (not to mention THAT £1.5million gold Kate Moss artwork)?

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Statues are physical representations of a person, often to commemorate and remember them for years to come – but 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.

The £150,000 13-ft bronze sculpture called ‘The Don’, was installed to represent Prince Philip in his role as Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University.

But the City Council has issued an enforcement notice for the statue to be removed over its ‘harmful material impact’ on the appearance of the area.

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

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 statue of Cristiano Ronaldo at the ceremony at Madeira Airport to rename it Cristiano Ronaldo Airport on March 29, 2017

World-renowned footballer Cristiano Ronaldo attended the ceremony where the bust was unveiled
The bronze bust was unveiled in 2017 at Madeira Airport, named after Cristiano Ronaldo

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.

The former First Lady is pictured in 2017
This wooden statue is Melania Trump

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?’

Footballer Harry Kane pictured during the Bundesliga match between SV Darmstadt 98 and FC Bayern Muenchen
A picture of the statue of Harry Kane which was unveiled by The Big Issue last week

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.’

Kate Moss attends the Saint Laurent Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025
The gold statue of Kate Moss cost more than £1.5million to make in 2008

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.

Andy Murray trains in preparation for the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 05, 2024
The terra cotta likeness of Andy Murray which was unveiled in 2011

If Andy Murray was confused by the statue during the unveiling, he was careful not to show it

If Andy Murray was confused by his statue, he was very careful to not show it

If Andy Murray was confused by his statue, he was very careful to not show it

Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson

The Rock asked for important changes to be made after a lifesize waxwork of himself was unveiled by a French waxwork museum.

The actor, 51, took to social media to reveal he would be contacting The Musée Grévin in Paris after the controversial waxwork under heavy criticism from fans.

Dwayne and his fans have commented on the waxwork’s seemingly lighter skin tone, with the star telling how he will be asking for the skin color to be ‘updated’.

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson has asked for 'important changes' to be made after a lifesize waxwork of himself was unveiled by a French waxwork museum
Dwayne and his fans have commented on the waxwork's seemingly lighter skin tone, with the star telling how he will be asking for the skin color to be 'updated'

The actor, 51, took to social media to reveal he would be contacting The Musée Grévin in Paris

Queen Elizabeth II

This gigantic 12ft terracotta head is actually meant to resemble the late Queen Elizabeth II – and what’s more, there is one of her husband Prince Philip too.

Owner Ben Bennett found the regal sculptures in a house clearance and erected them on his lawn in Windsor.

After owning them for 12 years since the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, he has now put them up for sale for £2,000.

So if you’d like to snatch these sculptures for your own garden, you better hurry.

Make sure you have plenty of space though, as they are 18 feet wide.

Queen Elizabeth II speaking with staff during a visit to the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory at Porton Down science park on October 15, 2020
The giant head sculpture of Queen Elizabeth II which was listed on Facebook Marketplace

This gigantic 12ft terracotta head is actually meant to resemble the late Queen Elizabeth II – and what’s more, there is one of her husband Prince Philip too

Owner Ben Bennett found the regal sculptures in a house clearance and erected them on his lawn in Windsor

Owner Ben Bennett found the regal sculptures in a house clearance and erected them on his lawn in Windsor

Prince Philip

A £150,000 13-ft bronze sculpture called ‘The Don’ is supposed to represent Prince Philip in his role as Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University.

The plaque under the sculpture reads: ‘HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor University of Cambridge 1977-2011.’

Yet Cambridge City Council have now issued an enforcement notice for the statue to be removed as it doesn’t have planning permission and has a ‘harmful material impact’ on the appearance of the area.

City planners refused permission for the statue to be displayed outside a new office block on Hills Road in 2014, describing it as the worst piece of public art they had ever seen.

A plaque under the sculpture reads: 'HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor University of Cambridge 1977-2011'

A plaque under the sculpture reads: ‘HRH Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, Chancellor University of Cambridge 1977-2011’

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh pictured in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle ahead of his 99th birthday.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh pictured in the quadrangle of Windsor Castle ahead of his 99th birthday.

Cambridge City Council public art officer Nadine Black said it was ‘possibly the poorest quality work that has ever been submitted to the council.’

She added: ‘It is not site-specific and is a work already purchased and has no relationship to this site. It is too large a scale for the context of the space it will be located within and will compromise the quality of the new development.’

The statue was originally attributed to Uruguayan sculptor Pablo Atchugarry, but he later disowned the piece.

READ MORE: Emotional King Charles unveils new statues of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as he is joined by Camilla, William, Kate and Anne for special Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance 

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Atchugarry, who is an internationally renowned sculptor, whose pieces have been sold at Christies and Sothebys in London, New York, Paris and Amsterdam, called the accusation it was his work ‘an abuse.’

He said in 2014, ‘I am not the author of this sculpture, and it is an abuse that they had used my name. I wish somebody would apologise to me for this misunderstanding’.

Bill Gredley, the chairmen of Unex Group who developed the piece, staunchly defended the work in 2014 and described it as a ‘spectacular piece of art.’

A spokesman for Unex group said: ‘Mr Gredley and others consider it is a rather spectacular bronze with a difference, namely the head and shape as cast together with the bronze being coloured black to resemble the academic clothing and mortarboard.

‘Mr Gredley appreciates that art is subjective and therefore has no issue with those who do not like The Don.’

An enforcement notice issued by the Greater Cambridge Shared Planning Service (GCSP) on March 5, said it appeared the sculpture had been erected within the last four years without planning permission.

The enforcement notice said it has a ‘harmful material impact’ on the appearance of the area and that it was contrary to policies in the Cambridge Local Plan.

It said the sculpture must be permanently removed along with its foundations and plinth within four months from April 11, unless an appeal is made beforehand.

The land must also be restored to its former condition prior to the sculpture’s installation.

Councillor Katie Thornburrow said nobody ‘seems to have a good word to say about it’ and she will ‘be glad to see it gone.’

Mr Atchugarry told MailOnline: ‘The artwork ”The Don” is not of my authorship.’

MailOnline has contacted Mr Gredley for comment.