The artist behind the portrait of Donald Trump that Vladimir Putin gifted to the U.S. president last month was Russian painter Nikas Safronov, CNN reported on Tuesday.
The painting was first mentioned publicly by Trump special envoy Steve Witkoff in a March 22 interview with Tucker Carlson. Witkoff described it as the work of a “leading Russian artist” and said Trump was “clearly touched by it,” though he did not reveal the artist’s name or show the portrait.
Safronov has now come forward to confirm he was the artist and has provided CNN with a copy. The image depicts Trump with his fist raised, set against the backdrop of the American flag and the Statue of Liberty.
Main Image: Copyright Nikas Safronove Courtesy RIA Kremlinpool
Anna Melnykova, "Palace of Labor (palats praci), architector I. Pretro, 1916", shot with analog Canon camera, 35 mm Fuji film in March 2022.
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