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An oil painting of a nude woman went back on show yesterday more than 60 years after it was banned for being “too brazen” – only to receive complaints about it because she is smoking.
The nude, titled D. D. after the initials of the model, was painted by Sir Gerald Kelly, who painted the Royal Family and became president of the Royal Academy.
The portrait was bought by a public gallery in 1947 and more than 20,000 people queued to see it. However, council chiefs in Newport, South Wales, decided that the painting was scandalising their town and ordered that it be taken down.
The picture, which became known as the “Newport Nude”, has been locked in a vault ever since.
Now, as part of an exhibition in Newport called The Art of the Nude, the portrait is still a talking point.
Elizabeth Ayres, 38, a local resident, said: “She’s a bit of a Fag Ash Lil, but I can’t imagine why the painting would be banned.”

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To Kelly who commented on the 'mirror'. At first glance I too thought it was a mirror. But a closer look will show that what is behind her is actually another painting on an easel. The setting is obviously an artist's studio rather than the subject's boudoir. I love the model's confidence/strength.
Poppy, Montreal, Canada
Considering the uproar Manet's Olympia caused back in 1863, it's not surprising that this received a similar reaction. Crusty art critics don't like it when nude ladies peer boldly out of their canvases as if they have the right to look you in the eye. I love it.
Christina, South Orange, NJ, USA
Greetings to Alan in Muslim Malaysia. The leaders of the great faith of Islam have issued the following fatwa: "In view of the harm caused by tobacco, growing, trading in and smoking of tobacco are judged to be haram [ absolutely forbidden ] ".
Lisa, Hong Kong, China
All I wanna say is, if that is a mirror behind her and supposed to show her reflection, it is all wrong. How is it a reflection of her face when her back is to it?? I don't care if she is smoking or naked but the mirror definitely need to be fixed ASAP! LOL
Kelly L. Lunsford, Mulberry , USA
If Newport doesn't want it, I take it.
Cosima, Hong Kong, China
To the person is Spain, I give a wave from Malaysia - whilst smoking happily. I too am glad to have left the Great Brutality of Small Minds.
To the comment about just about being able to see the butt, thank you for the best laugh so far today!
Alan, Kuching, Malaysia
Obviously painted in a time when "freedom" had just been hard fought for.
Quite right that she should be smoking, two years earlier she could have been bombed to pieces by the Luftwaffe, so she is enjoying life, because then they knew how to enjoy it while they had it! FREEDOM!
Pete, St Albans, England
I this is a great Painting, the woman looks so strong, defiant and Self possessed, its fantastic........but then maybe thats what they didnt like about it the first time around!
Veronica, Ballina,
I am speechless.
Am I glad I got out of the madhouse that is now the UK. Whatever happened to commonsense?
Orwell's prophesies are coming true.
Stuart, Motril, Spain
Do those complaining also object to all those Dutch Masters where men are sitting around smoking pipes? They probably do - the world is full of small-minded bigots.
Roger Tilbury, Worthing,
local councils never change
rob, wallasey,
What is a Council Chief in Newport, Sth Wales? Just a glorified bartender that doesnt understand anything about art and who's more concerned with a pitiful and useless smoking ban than displaying a work of art. And why was it banned in the first place? Hasnt there been nudes before? This is ridicule
Will, Madrid, Spain
if you look really carefully, you can just see the butt....
richard, Chislehurst, Kent