The Satirical Painting of Vladimir Putin That Was Apparently So Embarrassing the Russian Police Seized It

An art gallery in Russia was raided by police on Monday. The authorities were after a satirical painting that depicted Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev wearing women's underwear.

Authorities seized the satirical art in the “Museum of Power” gallery in St. Petersburg, claiming it had broken unspecified laws, Reuters reports. The painting depicts Putin "Putin in a slip dress combing the hair of Medvedev – who is wearing a bra," the report adds.

A visitor takes a picture of the artwork entitled "Travesty" by Konstantin Altunin at an exhibition at the Muzei Vlasti (Museum of Authorities) in St. Petersburg August 15, 2013. Overnight on August 26 several art installations, including the "Travesty" that depicts figures resembling Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, were confiscated by the police from Muzei Vlasti and shall be checked for extremist propaganda. Picture taken August 15, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer

Apparently in Russia, insulting authorities can land you in prison for a year in some cases.

The gallery's owner, Alexander Donskoy, claims the "Museum of Power" has been shut down. He says the police's actions amount to an illegal "seizure."

Russian police also removed an additional painting that imagined the head of the Russian Orthodox Church covered in tattoos and others that mocked Russian lawmakers who supported anti-gay laws.

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