I see your point, but disagree on it being a fail in that scenario. If it was shown that this is accurate to the time period that would sway many that felt it wasn't reflective of the time period.
However since art is basically about evoking a feeling I think its irrelevant on if its actually accurate to the time period or not. So far most of the dislike comments I've seen was about "it looks like kindergartners did it", which is exactly the feeling WDI appears to have been going for, so in the regard they appear to have succeed in my opinion even if some others think its a fail.