CNN  — 

Mary Wollstonecraft, the 18th-century English writer and philosopher often dubbed the “mother of feminism,” received a new tribute on Tuesday: a statue in a London park meant to honor her life and work.

But almost immediately after its unveiling, the artwork – which cost ￡143,300 (about $190,000) and was a decade in the making – had attracted public ridicule and criticisms of sexism.

The sculpture comprises a small figurine of a naked woman, who many said doesn’t resemble Wollstonecraft, perched on top of a larger, twisting mass of silver. It all sits on a black base engraved with a famous Wollstonecraft quote: “I do not wish women to have power over men, but over themselves.”

In a video posted by the campaign behind the statue on Tuesday, artist Maggi Hambling said that her work “involves this tower of intermingling female forms culminating in the figure of the woman at the top who is challenging, and ready to challenge, the world.”

The campaign, called Mary on the Green, said on its website that the naked woman represents “an everywoman” that “emerges out of organic matter, almost like a birth.”

But many critics didn’t see it that way – nor did they appreciate the use of female nudity in a statue designed to celebrate Wollstonecraft’s efforts to improve women’s rights.

The statue is topped by the small figure of a naked woman.
The statue is topped by the small figure of a naked woman.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

Activist and author Caroline Criado Perez, who successfully campaigned for a statue of the suffragist Millicent Fawcett to be erected in London’s Parliament Square, and helped put Jane Austen on the ￡10 note, called the Wollstonecraft sculpture “a colossal waste” and “so disappointing.”

“This feels disrespectful to Wollstonecraft herself and isn’t that the most important part?” she wrote on Twitter. “In Wollstonecraft’s own words: ‘Taught from their infancy that beauty is woman’s sceptre, the mind shapes itself to the body, and roaming round its gilt cage, only seeks to adorn its prison.’ Just sad, really sad.”

Writer Tracy King also decried the statue as “a shocking waste of an opportunity that can’t be undone.”

“Statues of named men get to be clothed because the focus is on their work and achievements,” she tweeted on Tuesday. “Meanwhile, women walking or jogging through parks experience high rates of sexual harassment because our bodies are considered public property.”

The world's first female historian was Anna Komnene. In the 11th century, she wrote an extensive account called "The Alexiad" (the source for the above quote) of both Byzantine daily life and the political struggles during the reign of her father, Emperor Alexius I.
Anna Komnene —
The world's first female historian was Anna Komnene. In the 11th century, she wrote an extensive account called "The Alexiad" (the source for the above quote) of both Byzantine daily life and the political struggles during the reign of her father, Emperor Alexius I.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Eighteenth century political thinker and writer Mary Wollstonecraft said that women had equal intellectual abilities to men but were denied education. The quote above is from her most famous work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman", which asked for a radical reformation of national educational systems to help women in both their households and professional lives.
Mary Wollstonecraft —
Eighteenth century political thinker and writer Mary Wollstonecraft said that women had equal intellectual abilities to men but were denied education. The quote above is from her most famous work, "A Vindication of the Rights of Woman", which asked for a radical reformation of national educational systems to help women in both their households and professional lives.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Margaret Bulkley pretended to be a man called James Barry for 56 years and was only discovered to be a woman after her death. After attending medical school and becoming a military surgeon in India and South Africa, she took on the role of Inspector General putting her in charge of military hospitals. <br />She performed one of the first successful Caesarean sections in 1826. Her methods in medical care, which emphasized better public health, hygiene and diet, led to one of the highest rates of recovery in the Crimean war.
Margaret Bulkley —
Margaret Bulkley pretended to be a man called James Barry for 56 years and was only discovered to be a woman after her death. After attending medical school and becoming a military surgeon in India and South Africa, she took on the role of Inspector General putting her in charge of military hospitals.
She performed one of the first successful Caesarean sections in 1826. Her methods in medical care, which emphasized better public health, hygiene and diet, led to one of the highest rates of recovery in the Crimean war.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Born as a slave in the state of New York, Sojourner Truth was set free in 1827. She then dedicated herself to promoting abolitionism and women's suffrage. In 1851, she gave one of her most famous speeches "Ain't I a Woman?" to the Women's Convention in Ohio.
Sojourner Truth —
Born as a slave in the state of New York, Sojourner Truth was set free in 1827. She then dedicated herself to promoting abolitionism and women's suffrage. In 1851, she gave one of her most famous speeches "Ain't I a Woman?" to the Women's Convention in Ohio.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
This 19th century poet, educationalist and social worker was India's first female teacher. With her husband, she founded 18 schools for girls of all castes, fought for widows' rights and opened the well at their house to people of "lower castes" ('dalit') who were denied access to water elsewhere. The University of Pune was renamed in her honor in 2014.
Savitribai Phule —
This 19th century poet, educationalist and social worker was India's first female teacher. With her husband, she founded 18 schools for girls of all castes, fought for widows' rights and opened the well at their house to people of "lower castes" ('dalit') who were denied access to water elsewhere. The University of Pune was renamed in her honor in 2014.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Activist Kate Sheppard was a key figure in making New Zealand become the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Sheppard also campaigned for women's right to cycle, greater equality in marriage and the abolition of corsets.
Kate Sheppard —
Activist Kate Sheppard was a key figure in making New Zealand become the first country to grant women the right to vote in 1893. Sheppard also campaigned for women's right to cycle, greater equality in marriage and the abolition of corsets.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
In 1903 Polish-French scientist Marie Curie became the first woman to get the Nobel Prize. She later became the only person in history to get it twice in?different disciplines (for physics and then chemistry). Her discovery of radioactivity, polonium and radium led to the development of X-ray technology. She did her research at the Sorbonne, where she became the first ever female professor.
Marie Curie —
In 1903 Polish-French scientist Marie Curie became the first woman to get the Nobel Prize. She later became the only person in history to get it twice in?different disciplines (for physics and then chemistry). Her discovery of radioactivity, polonium and radium led to the development of X-ray technology. She did her research at the Sorbonne, where she became the first ever female professor.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic on her own. Three years later, she was the first person to successfully fly from Hawaii to California. She wrote two books reflecting on her flights: "20 Hrs., 40 Min." and "The Fun of It". Earhart disappeared on a plane in the Pacific in 1937, while trying to become the first woman to fly around the world. Since then, a lighthouse, as well as streets, schools and airports in the US, have been named after her.
Amelia Earhart —
In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first female pilot to cross the Atlantic on her own. Three years later, she was the first person to successfully fly from Hawaii to California. She wrote two books reflecting on her flights: "20 Hrs., 40 Min." and "The Fun of It". Earhart disappeared on a plane in the Pacific in 1937, while trying to become the first woman to fly around the world. Since then, a lighthouse, as well as streets, schools and airports in the US, have been named after her.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher and the author of "The Second Sex", published in 1949, which became a landmark in feminist literature. It analyzed the treatment and perception of women throughout history, and was deemed so controversial that the Vatican put it on the Index of Prohibited Books.
Simone de Beauvoir —
Simone de Beauvoir was a French existentialist philosopher and the author of "The Second Sex", published in 1949, which became a landmark in feminist literature. It analyzed the treatment and perception of women throughout history, and was deemed so controversial that the Vatican put it on the Index of Prohibited Books.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Having achieved fame as a dancer in her native country US and adopted home France, Josephine Baker refused to perform in concert halls forbidding racially mixed audiences. She was the first person to integrate black and white spectators at the Las Vegas casinos. <br /><br />She adopted 12 children of different races and was the only woman to give a speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 (where the above quote is from).<br /><br />Baker also served as a sub-lieutenant in the French air force and was a spy for the French Resistance during the Second World War. <br />
Josephine Baker —
Having achieved fame as a dancer in her native country US and adopted home France, Josephine Baker refused to perform in concert halls forbidding racially mixed audiences. She was the first person to integrate black and white spectators at the Las Vegas casinos.

She adopted 12 children of different races and was the only woman to give a speech at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom in 1963 (where the above quote is from).

Baker also served as a sub-lieutenant in the French air force and was a spy for the French Resistance during the Second World War.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly into space. The Soviet cosmonaut had no pilot training but she was selected on the program based on her accomplishments as an amateur parachutist. She then embarked on a political career, becoming a member of USSR's legislative bodies, the Supreme Soviet and Supreme Soviet Presidium.
Valentina Tereshkova —
In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly into space. The Soviet cosmonaut had no pilot training but she was selected on the program based on her accomplishments as an amateur parachutist. She then embarked on a political career, becoming a member of USSR's legislative bodies, the Supreme Soviet and Supreme Soviet Presidium.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Maya Angelou was a Grammy-winning and Pulitzer-nominated author, poet, actor, civil rights activist and more. Her iconic autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" -- from which the above quote is from -- was published in 1969 and later adapted for television, making Angelou the first African-American woman to have an original screenplay produced as a movie. She worked closely with Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr in the Civil Rights Movement.
Maya Angelou —
Maya Angelou was a Grammy-winning and Pulitzer-nominated author, poet, actor, civil rights activist and more. Her iconic autobiography "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" -- from which the above quote is from -- was published in 1969 and later adapted for television, making Angelou the first African-American woman to have an original screenplay produced as a movie. She worked closely with Malcom X and Martin Luther King Jr in the Civil Rights Movement.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
In 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. By 1992 she had scaled the summits of the highest mountain peaks on every continent -- the first woman to do so.
Junko Tabei —
In 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. By 1992 she had scaled the summits of the highest mountain peaks on every continent -- the first woman to do so.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
The world's first democratically elected female head of state, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir became president of Iceland in 1980 and was re-elected three times before retiring in 1996. Finnbogadóttir, won the first election as a single mother, which she partly attributed to Icelandic media's respect for privacy. <br />After her presidency, she became founding chair of the Council of Women World Leaders at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and worked for the United Nations.
Vigdis Finnbogadóttir —
The world's first democratically elected female head of state, Vigdis Finnbogadóttir became president of Iceland in 1980 and was re-elected three times before retiring in 1996. Finnbogadóttir, won the first election as a single mother, which she partly attributed to Icelandic media's respect for privacy.
After her presidency, she became founding chair of the Council of Women World Leaders at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and worked for the United Nations.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
In 2011, Manal al-Sharif made history by leading a successful campaign -- Women2Drive -- that called for Saudi Arabian women to have the right to drive. She was arrested after posting a YouTube video asking for women to drive but with the support of international media and online and street protests, was released nine days later. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time Magazine and she won the inaugural Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent.
Manal al-Sharif —
In 2011, Manal al-Sharif made history by leading a successful campaign -- Women2Drive -- that called for Saudi Arabian women to have the right to drive. She was arrested after posting a YouTube video asking for women to drive but with the support of international media and online and street protests, was released nine days later. In 2012, she was recognized as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World" by Time Magazine and she won the inaugural Václav Havel Prize for Creative Dissent.
Anastasia Beltyukova/CNN
Women from history you should know

She added that “there is no reason to depict Mary naked,” and that the statue’s petite, slender body undermines the campaign’s aim of representing the “everywoman.”

Other activists, educators, art historians and members of the public also voiced their scorn online following the unveiling. Some shared an image of a competing design, which had been shortlisted and ultimately rejected, showing a (fully dressed) Wollstonecraft with a quill in one hand and books in the other.

Some critics acknowledged that, despite their misgivings about the statue’s appearance, the original intent had been an important one. Wollstonecraft is regarded as one of the founding feminist philosophers, though the term “feminism” had yet to be coined in her lifetime. In her writings and conversations, she argued that women are not naturally inferior to men, but are limited by societal constraints and lack of access to education.

Describing Hambling as a “challenging artist,” Bee Rowlatt, Chair of the Mary on the Green campaign, which commissioned the statue, said that whilst they “understand that not everyone agrees with the end result,” Wollstonecraft “deserves a memorial that’s as radical as she was.”

“Maggi Hambling’s design was selected in May 2018 through a competitive, consultative process. The design has been in the public domain since then,” she added. “The work celebrates her contribution to society with something that goes beyond the Victorian traditions of putting people on pedestals.”

CNN also reached out to Hambling for her her response to the reactions but a spokesperson said she was unavailable at the time.

The Mary on the Green campaign was launched in 2010 by the Newington Green Action Group, which oversees and plans events at London’s Newington Green park where the statue is located. Newington Green is where Wollstonecraft lived and worked, and she founded a school in the neighborhood.

An engraving of Mary Wollstonecraft.
An engraving of Mary Wollstonecraft.
Engraving by Opie (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

“Over 90% of London’s monuments celebrate men,” reads the campaign website. “This is set against a population of 51% women.”

The charity Public Monuments and Sculpture Association has a catalog of all 925 public sculptures in the UK. When campaigner Perez analyzed the list, she found that only 158 statues depict women, according to the charity’s website.

Of these, almost half were based on fictional figures, 14 were of the Virgin Mary and 46 were of royalty – meaning there were only 25 statues of historical, non-royal women in the UK.

Recent years have seen growing calls to change this. Since 2018, statues of female suffragettes, writers and activists have been erected in several British cities, including London and Manchester.

Where are the women? New effort to give them just due on monuments, street names

Mary on the Green picked Hambling to create the Wollstonecraft statue in 2018, and finally hit its goal of ￡143,300 in 2019 after years of fundraising

“I wanted to make the sculpture for Mary Wollstonecraft to celebrate the life force she was in the battle for freedom,” said Hambling in the campaign video. “She battled for women’s education, for women to have their own thoughts.”

She added that the sculpture was silver because she felt it was “much more (of a) female color than bronze,” and that it could catch the sunlight and “float in space.”

The video showed the statue being installed – from digging a hole for the base and using cranes to lift the statue into place.

“Seeing Maggi Hambling’s artwork go up has caused a sort of volcano of emotions in me,” said Rowlatt in the video. “I’ve always felt it was a huge injustice that people didn’t know who Mary Wollstonecraft was. We’ve gone some way to righting that injustice.”

Late on Tuesday, after the debate over the statue kicked off online, Rowlatt tweeted her thanks for those who had “engaged thoughtfully” with the artwork – adding that “if you don’t like this sculpture there are other campaigns for amazing women that deserve support.”