Ras-Putin as an art critic...a Freudian slip...

Putin 'turns into art instructor'
By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
BBC News, Moscow

Artist Ilya Glazunov (left) and Vladimir Putin in Moscow
Artist Ilya Glazunov agreed to put his painting right

Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has been raising eyebrows by telling one of the country's most famous artists how to paint better.

Visiting 79-year-old artist Ilya Glazunov, Mr Putin stopped in front of a large painting of a medieval knight.

"The sword is too short," he is reputed to have said. "It's only good enough for cutting sausage."

Not wishing to displease his powerful guest, Mr Glazunov immediately agreed to correct his mistake.