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Picture by 'new artist' Putin fetches $1.1 million

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-21 11:18

ST PETERSBURG, Russia – A picture sketched by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has fetched 37 million roubles ($1.15 million) at a charity auction.

An auctioneer's assistant puts an oil painting by Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on display during a charity auction in St.Petersburg, January 17, 2009. [Agencies]

The painting of snowfall seen through a window, finished by a professional artist, features a sprawling "Putin" signature and was introduced at Saturday's auction with the words: "Here is a new artist."

The auctioneer started bidding at 20,000 roubles ($620), the same as the other lots, only to meet cries of "Let's not be penny-pinchers" from the buyers, who demanded a starting price of five million roubles.

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A black belt in judo, Putin has cultivated an image of a tough man, but so far not known for artistic talent.

An auction organizer said Putin had painted the picture in 20 minutes and then a professional artist filled in the details.

"Of all the paintings presented there, this was the best one," said a spokeswoman on Sunday for "Our Artists," the Moscow-based gallery which bought the painting.

The gallery, located in an exclusive wooded avenue just outside Moscow favored by top officials, said it would exhibit the painting to the public.