An unusal portrait of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin painted by prominent American artist David Datuna has been auctioned off for 220,000 euros (some $300,000) in Moscow, Russia's NTV TV-channel reported on Friday.
The portrait is from the artist's series "Putin Couture" and is called "Putin-Mona Lisa". 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 authors said the painting was inspired by Putin's personality, which they say is as mysterious as the enigmatic smile of Mona Lisa.
