Italian artist gifts Putin an equestrian portrait inspired by Napoleon
Italian artist Franco Baldelli created a portrait of Vladimir Putin riding a horse, directly inspired by Jacques-Louis David's iconic painting of Napoleon Bonaparte crossing the Alps. The painting, completed in 2012 and measuring over two meters tall, was sent as a gift to the Russian leader. According to a letter from Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov, Putin greatly appreciated the gesture and the artwork has been transmitted to Moscow, where it may be displayed at the Kremlin. Baldelli, a graduate of the Institute of Fine Arts in Urbino, is known for historical reinterpretations and has received the Marco Aurelio award from the Italian Senate. His illustrations of the Divine Comedy are currently on exhibit at the Hotel Alexander Museum in Pesaro.
Key facts
- Franco Baldelli painted Putin on horseback, modeled after Jacques-Louis David's Napoleon.
- The painting was completed in 2012 and is over two meters tall.
- Baldelli sent the painting as a gift to Putin via the Russian embassy in Italy.
- Russian Ambassador Sergey Razov wrote a thank-you letter to Baldelli.
- The artwork has been transmitted to Moscow and may be displayed at the Kremlin.
- Baldelli is from Urbino and graduated from the Institute of Fine Arts in Urbino.
- He received the Marco Aurelio award from the Italian Senate.
- His illustrations of the Divine Comedy are exhibited at Hotel Alexander Museum in Pesaro.
Entities
Artists
- Franco Baldelli
- Jacques-Louis David
- Vladimir Putin
Institutions
- Corriere Adriatico
- Institute of Fine Arts of Urbino
- Italian Senate
- Hotel Alexander Museum
- Artribune
Locations
- Urbino
- Italy
- Moscow
- Russia
- Pesaro