You invite your readers to comment on the Jane Austen piece, yet your leader last week (Chronicle, November 30) shows a distinctively negative bias.

In order for people to come to a more informed conclusion they should be given the opportunity to see more images showing the sculpture in the round. 

I have had that opportunity and would make the following comments. Given that there is so much heated debate about how Jane Austen should be portrayed, any statue created in her memory can only be representational. 

For me, the pose and dress cleverly introduce subtle movement (which is not clear in the pictures you published), together with a magical stillness which immediately captures the attention of the viewer.

And her dress does not have to be merely literal. It may also be symbolic, pointing to more intangible aspects of this author: namely her lively yet disciplined mind.

As already reported, Martin Jennings has produced work throughout this country to which the public has responded with enormous favour and affection. 

In my opinion, and I am sure this is true among his many peers, he is recognised as one of this country’s most accomplished sculptors.

I would suggest that we will be very fortunate to have an example of his work in this historic city.

Robert Hunt, MSPS
Honorary secretary, The Society of Portrait Sculptors,
Hyde Street, 
Winchester

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