Christie's to auction nude snap of Carla Bruni, France's First Lady

What controversy has French President Nicolas Sarkozy drummed up now?

The unpopular European leader is catching flack for many, many things, not the least of which is his recent marriage to supermodel and singer Carla Bruni.

And now a full-frontal nude (read, "not work safe") photo of his new model/wife will be auctioned off April 10 in New York.

Actively making the rounds in the British tabloids, the release of the photo appears to be timed with an official visit by Sarkozy and Bruni to Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh. Way to impress your new friends!

Word is that Carla is horrified.

But the auction house has defended its upcoming sale by saying that the photos are works of art and that Carla is one of the most beautiful women in the world.

(Well, yes, but she's also the French first lady!)

Bruni's black-and-white photo shows the model standing topless in a studio covering her privates with cupped hands.

Other photos included in the nude model auction: Giselle Bundchen and Kate Moss.

Photo: Carla shows some skin in a Versace fashion show in 1992.

WireImage

Comments

[oblomov]

What Sarko worries about isn't Carla's nudity ; the problem is she's taller than him!
His lady ministers try not to embarass him :
http://www.freakingnews.com/Sarkozy-s-Ladies-Pics-45463.asp

[gertie]

It must all depend on what you can call a work of 'art'. Surely only nude photos of past deceased beauties can qualify.

[Boris]

Please, could you understand that in France, the title of "first lady" doesn't exist. Carla is the president's wife and nothing else.

[Jesse]

OMG Please, All the Violence and Bad around the world and we Whine about a 15 year old pic of a very natural thing... Please people gorw up...