A statue of Jane Austen was unveiled at Winchester Cathedral in October 2025. It was sculpted by Martin Jennings.[1]
The statue depicts Austen "with her ringlets and cap" standing next to her writing table.[2][3] It will be situated outside 9 The Close.[3]
Jennings "studied the available evidence to produce a likeness" of Austen as there are no definitive images of her. Winchester Cathedral described Jennings' "overall conception, reflected in her expression and posture, emphasises [Austen's] moral vision and the strength of her literary legacy".[3]
There were previous plans to create a statue of Austen by Jennings in Winchester, but these were abandoned in 2019.[2] It is due to be unveiled on 16 October 2025 during a special service at the cathedral by the Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson, the Interim Dean of Winchester Cathedral Roland Riem, and Martin Jennings.[3][4][5] It will be situated outside 9 The Close.[3] The service will also feature readings from Austen's novel Pride and Prejudice with actors Joanna David, Susannah Harker, and Adrian Lukis who appeared in the 1995 BBC TV adaptation.[4]
References
edit- ↑ "Jane Austen statue unveiled at cathedral". BBC News. 16 October 2025. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- 1 2 Andrews, Charlotte (9 August 2024). "Jane Austen anniversary sculpture given go-ahead". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Celebrating Jane". Winchester Cathedral website. Winchester Cathedral. Archived from the original on 29 August 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- 1 2 Thompson, Eve (2 October 2025). "Winchester Cathedral to unveil Jane Austen statue with special service". Hampshire Chronicle. Retrieved 2 October 2025.
- ↑ "Jane Austen Statue Unveiling". Winchester Cathedral website. Winchester Cathedral. Archived from the original on 2 October 2025. Retrieved 2 October 2025.