Putin criticises painter's sword size

Reuters

SEEING DAGGERS: Vladimir Putin has been advising artists on their paintings.

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Prime Minister Vladimir Putin told a founder of the Russian school of high realism that a sword in one of his paintings looked like a pocket knife for slicing sausage and the artist vowed to fix it.

Visiting the gallery of Ilya Glazunov – known for his depiction of Russian heroes and religious scenes – to mark the artist's 79th birthday, Putin stopped at several pictures including "Prince Oleg with Igor" painted in 1973.

"The premier's eyes immediately caught the sword held by the prince," RIA news agency reported.

"The sword is a bit too short, it looks like a pocket knife in his hands," Putin was quoted as saying. "It looks like it is only good for slicing sausage," the premier added.

"The artist agreed and said he would now have to rectify the picture," RIA said of the painter who has illustrated Russian classics and poetry and was honoured by Putin. "I don't miss a single detail," said the prime minister-turned-art critic.

Putin, who served most of his adult life as a Soviet KGB spy and who became premier then president, himself achieved artistic fame at a January charity auction when a work he had sketched of a snowfall sold for 37 million roubles (NZ$1.90m).

- Reuters