Canada

Nude Harper painting sells for $5,000

A portrait of the prime minister that caused quite a stir this month has been sold for $5,000.

Painting shows prime minister wearing nothing but a smile

Local Kingston artist Maggie Sutherland sits in front of her painting of Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the Central Kingston public library in Kingston, Ont., on May 18. (Lars Hagberg/Canadian Press)

A portrait of the prime minister that caused quite a stir this month has been sold for $5,000.   

Artist Margaret Sutherland's painting, Emperor Haute Couture, shows Stephen Harper reclining in the nude. It was purchased by an unidentified buyer.   

Sutherland says there was a "tsunami of press and offers to buy" the painting during the Victoria Day weekend.   

The large oil on canvas, which Harper did not pose for, shows the prime minister reclining on a chaise longue wearing nothing but a subtle smile.   

A dog rests at his feet as a woman in business attire offers him what looks like a Tim Hortons cup on a silver platter.   

The painting is on display at the Kingston, Ont., public library until the end of the month.