The picture Vladimir Putin wants to ban: Police seize painting of Russian president in women's underwear from St Petersburg gallery claiming it is 'illegal'
- Painting shows Putin in a tight-fitting slip brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is wearing knickers and a bra
- Russian police confiscated it, along with two other works from the gallery on Monday night after receiving reports they were 'illegal'
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER PUBLISHED: 02:15 GMT, 28 August 2013 | UPDATED: 12:00 GMT, 28 August 2013
Police have seized a painting of Russia's president Vladamir Putin wearing women's underwear from a gallery, saying the satirical display had broken the law.The painting entitled 'Travesty' by Konstantin Altunin, shows President Putin wearing a tight-fitting slip and brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is wearing knickers and a bra.
Police swooped on the Muzei Vlasti (Museum of Authorities) in St. Petersburg on the night of August 26 confiscating several art installations, including 'Travesty' which are to be checked for extremist propaganda.
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Banned: The picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev which was seized from a St. Petersburg gallery
A picture of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill I, with his torso covered in tattoos, and two others poking fun at lawmakers who have backed legislation banning so-called gay propaganda, were also confiscated, gallery staff said.
The police service said it had taken paintings from the gallery - based in two rooms of a flat - late on Monday 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 for the record: A visitor takes a picture of the painting entitled 'Travesty' by artist Konstantin Altunin before hit was taken by police from the Muzei Vlasti (Museum of Authorities) in St. Petersburg
Another portrait of the much maligned Russian president on display at the St. Petersburg gallery
Russia's President Vladimir Putin is portrayed with a halo in this portrait by Russian artist Konstantin Altunin
St Petersburg deputy Vitaly Mironov, whose face was combined with the gay rights movement's rainbow flag in one of the paintings, told Reuters the images were inappropriate and 'of a distinctly pornographic character'.Gallery owner Alexander Donskoy said the officers had also shut down his establishment and gave him no explanation for the removal of paintings from the exhibition, titled 'Leaders'.'This is an (illegal) seizure,' he said. 'We have been given no formal documents banning us from operating and no receipt confirming our petty cash was seized.' 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' and making it a crime 'to spread information about non-traditional sexual behavior' to those under 18.
Russian police seize painting of Putin in women's underwear
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A Russian officer stands in front of a portrait of Russia's President Vladimir Putin on display in St. Petersburg
In June President Vladimir Putin signed legislation, giving the national government the authority to detain gay or 'pro-gay' foreigners for up to 14 days, and then to expel them from the country.Four Dutch tourists were the first to be arrested under the statute in mid-July, although they were later released without being criminally charged.The move has sparked a storm of protest with many campaigners calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics which are due to take place in the resort town of Sochi.
Police have seized a painting of Russia's president Vladamir Putin wearing women's underwear from a gallery, saying the satirical display had broken the law.The painting entitled 'Travesty' by Konstantin Altunin, shows President Putin wearing a tight-fitting slip and brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is wearing knickers and a bra.
Police swooped on the Muzei Vlasti (Museum of Authorities) in St. Petersburg on the night of August 26 confiscating several art installations, including 'Travesty' which are to be checked for extremist propaganda.
Scroll down for video
Banned: The picture of Russian President Vladimir Putin brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev which was seized from a St. Petersburg gallery
A picture of the leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill I, with his torso covered in tattoos, and two others poking fun at lawmakers who have backed legislation banning so-called gay propaganda, were also confiscated, gallery staff said.
The police service said it had taken paintings from the gallery - based in two rooms of a flat - late on Monday 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 for the record: A visitor takes a picture of the painting entitled 'Travesty' by artist Konstantin Altunin before hit was taken by police from the Muzei Vlasti (Museum of Authorities) in St. Petersburg
Another portrait of the much maligned Russian president on display at the St. Petersburg gallery
Russia's President Vladimir Putin is portrayed with a halo in this portrait by Russian artist Konstantin Altunin
St Petersburg deputy Vitaly Mironov, whose face was combined with the gay rights movement's rainbow flag in one of the paintings, told Reuters the images were inappropriate and 'of a distinctly pornographic character'.Gallery owner Alexander Donskoy said the officers had also shut down his establishment and gave him no explanation for the removal of paintings from the exhibition, titled 'Leaders'.'This is an (illegal) seizure,' he said. 'We have been given no formal documents banning us from operating and no receipt confirming our petty cash was seized.' 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' and making it a crime 'to spread information about non-traditional sexual behavior' to those under 18.
Russian police seize painting of Putin in women's underwear
<center></center>
<iframe src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0oKbY-mhS7o?rel=0" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" width="480"></iframe>
A Russian officer stands in front of a portrait of Russia's President Vladimir Putin on display in St. Petersburg
In June President Vladimir Putin signed legislation, giving the national government the authority to detain gay or 'pro-gay' foreigners for up to 14 days, and then to expel them from the country.Four Dutch tourists were the first to be arrested under the statute in mid-July, although they were later released without being criminally charged.The move has sparked a storm of protest with many campaigners calling for a boycott of the 2014 Winter Olympics which are due to take place in the resort town of Sochi.
