‘Putin-Mona Lisa’ portrait sold for $300,000
October 1st, 2011 - 1:02 am ICT by IANSMoscow, Sep 30 (IANS/RIA Novosti) “Putin-Mona Lisa”, an unusal portrait of the Russian prime minister,has been auctioned for 220,000 euros ($300,000) in Moscow, Russia’s NTV TV-channel reported Friday.
The portrait, made by prominent American artist David Datuna, is from the artist’s series “Putin Couture”. It is formed by numerous small images of Leonardo Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa.
The initial price of the lot at the auction, provided by Ukraine’s Mironova Gallery at the 15th Art Moscow International Art Fair, was 100,000 euros ($135,000).
One of the Mironova Gallery owners said the portrait “was purchased by a well-known Russian businessman” but he did not reveal his name.
Georgian-born Datuna created the portrait together with his US colleague of Chinese origin Alex Guofeng Cao.
The artists said the painting was inspired by Putin’s personality, which they say is as mysterious as the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa.
–IANS/RIA Novosti
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