The Irish prime minister’s unofficial portrait problem

Various British and Irish news outlets report that two Dublin museums unexpectedly acquired new nudes — of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. A guerrilla artist, using a trick popularized by grafitti-artist Banksy, placed portraits of the taoiseach in the Royal Hibernian and National Galleries. In one, he’s holding his underwear; in the other, he’s in ...

587492_090325_cowen2.jpg
587492_090325_cowen2.jpg

Various British and Irish news outlets report that two Dublin museums unexpectedly acquired new nudes -- of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

Various British and Irish news outlets report that two Dublin museums unexpectedly acquired new nudes — of Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen.

A guerrilla artist, using a trick popularized by grafitti-artist Banksy, placed portraits of the taoiseach in the Royal Hibernian and National Galleries. In one, he’s holding his underwear; in the other, he’s in the loo. In both, he’s nude, though depicted in classically chaste poses. 

Irish police immediately confiscated the paintings and announced a public search for the offending, offensive artist — although it’s unclear that he or she committed any crime at all. Except against good taste, perhaps. 

Annie Lowrey is assistant editor at FP.

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