‘Mystery’ portrait Vladimir Putin gifted to Donald Trump finally revealed

The mysterious portrait gifted to Donald Trump by his Russian counterpart has finally been revealed — and its very unique.

Back in March, it was confirmed that Vladimir Putin had decided to exercise soft power in order to build bridges with the US leader and sent him a painting commissioned by a Russian artist.

Confirming the existence of the painting, Steve Witkoff, the US envoy to Russia, called the artwork a 'beautiful portrait' by a 'leading Russian artist' during an interview with podcaster Tucker Carlson.

He didn't divulge further details of what the painting depicted, he added that Trump had been 'clearly touched' by the gesture. Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added the painting was a 'personal gift' and that only the Russian president could share further details, the BBC reports.

The deliberately vague description and avoidance of any photographic evidence naturally sparked curiosity, as many people wondered what the image could be.

Was it a traditional painting of Moscow's famous Kremlin, the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg or perhaps even an image of Putin himself? Maybe even wading topless through the wilderness of crushing an enemy in judo?

Well now we can speculate no more, as the gifted portrait has finally been revealed. As hilarious as it would be to picture Donald Trump unboxing an image of the Russian leader in the Oval Office, it's actually a pretty shrewd way of buttering up the Republican leader by memorialising a defining moment in his life.

Which is, of course, the failed assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania when he was shot at by gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks. One of the bullets came close to Trump, hitting the 78-year-old's upper right ear in the seconds before the secret service flooded the stage.

While you or I would probably react to a failed assassination attempt by finding themselves paralysed in fear, Trump responded like a true politician and seized the moment for the perfect photo opportunity.

And it certainly left Russian artist Nikas Safronov feeling inspired, who created the following artwork:

It's... eye-catching composition.

Like a similar depiction which now hangs on the walls of the White House, Trump can be seen raising his fist into to the air while a stream of blood runs down his face — a moment which could be considered one of the most memorable images of 2024.

Safronov has also opted to add his own personal touches to the scene, enlarging the American flag which flutters behind Trump while also transporting the scene from Pennsylvania to New York in order to chuck in the Statue of Liberty.

You've gotta hand it to the Russians, gifting Trump this is a stroke of genius.