Russian Police Seize Painting Of Putin In Women's Underwear

[DeSwiss]

NTDTV·Published on Aug 28, 2013

Police seized a painting of Russia's president and prime minister in women's underwear from a gallery in St. Petersburg late on Monday (August 26), saying the satirical display had broken unspecified laws.

The officers also removed a picture of the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, his torso covered in tattoos, and two others poking fun at lawmakers who have backed legislation banning so-called gay propaganda, gallery staff said.

The gallery was closed after paintings were taken away. The police service said it had taken paintings from the "Museum of Power" gallery - based in two rooms of a flat - after receiving reports they were illegal.

It gave no further detail but Russia does have a law against insulting authorities - an offence that carries a maximum one-year prison term. One painting showed president Vladimir Putin wearing a tight-fitting slip and brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is wearing knickers and a bra.

St Petersburg deputy Vitaly Mironov, whose face was combined with the gay rights movement's rainbow flag in one of the paintings, said the images were inappropriate and "of a distinctly pornographic character".

St Petersburg, which next week hosts world leaders at a G20 summit, was one of the first Russian cities to introduce a law banning the spread of "gay propaganda". The Russian parliament has also adopted similar legislation, prompting protests from abroad and calls for a boycott of the Winter Olympics which Russia will host in the Black Sea resort of Sochi in February.

Gallery owner Alexander Donskoy said the officers had also shut down his establishment and have provided him no explanation for the removal of paintings from the exhibition, titled 'Leaders'.

- I think Medvedev's 5 o'clock shadow was kinda harsh. And Putie showing his softer side is a bit of a stretch. Other than that, I thought the painting was tastefully done......

[gopiscrap]

1. funny

except I fear for the artist

[PoliticAverse]

2. Painting of Putin in a negligee seized by Russian police; artist flees the country

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/08/28/painting-of-putin-in-a-negligee-seized-by-russian-police-artist-flees-the-country/

[gopiscrap]

3. Wise artist!

[BeyondGeography]

4. Vlad should have just said thanks for the sensuous lips and moved on

[Divine Discontent]

5. when a dictator's henchmen come and take a painting away, you know you live in a really shitty place

[Iliyah]

6. Will the artist be coming to the USA?

Inquirer minds want to know! At least here in the USA paintings like that won't get you arrested and put in jail.

[Generic Other]

7. Ambiguous headline cracked me up

I literally imagined a woman with a canvas stuffed down her knickers!