Putin Paints!

Whatever his faults, Russian President Vladimir Putin is well-rounded. His hobbies include fishing, judo, oil, secrecy, despotism, and now, we learn from The Telegraph, painting. A canvas by Putin, which “pays tribute to Ukrainian folklore,” will be auctioned off for charity this weekend. “Painted with pastels, it depicts a wintery night sky seen through a peasant's window framed by traditional lace curtains embroidered with beads and red stitching. The word ‘pattern’ is daubed underneath the bottom lattice, while Mr. Putin has signed his name over the pelmet.” The expected price of Putin’s painting is unknown, but last year, a painting by Saint Petersburg’s mayor fetched over $300,000.