A smiling close-up of Silvio Berlusconi and Moroccan teenager Karima El Mahroug together would have been a priceless picture for photographers attending the Italian prime minister's trial on underage prostitution charges.
Prosecutors accuse the 74-year-old Berlusconi of paying for sex with El Mahroug when she was under the legal age limit of 18 and the trial, which opened in Milan on Wednesday, has caused a global media sensation.
But Israeli-born artist Dodi Reifenberg said the couple has inspired him to create a more regal image to depict the young dancer and the ageing Italian politician.
"When I started working, I had a clear objective. I wanted people to think they were just looking at a beautiful couple, like Prince William & Kate Middleton, portrayed in their life together," Reifenberg, 50, said in a statement.
The Berlin-based environmental artist used plastic bags and scotch tape to create his ‘Silvio & Ruby’ portrait, which was unveiled on Wednesday at the Edward Cutler Gallery in Milan.
"I follow the news and I feel like a neutral viewer... but I consider this painting a work of art," said Cutler, whose art dealership has branches in London and Zurich.
The work is up for auction until May 6.