Carla Sarkozy's naked portrait goes on sale

One of the most common French searches on the internet lately has been "Carla Bruni nue".  The former super-model posed in her previous life for numerous nude sessions with well-known photographers. By now sets of their work must have done the rounds of just about every French office. Next month, Christie's saleroom in New York is offering the chance to buy an original, at an estimated 4,000 dollars.

The snap, taken by Michel Comte, dates from 1993. The photographer made the future première dame de France, then 25, mime a famous painting by Georges Seurat called les Poseuses (below).

Christies said that it had no qualms about exposing the French president's wife to the public gaze. She was, they said "one of the most beautiful women in the world" and the picture is a work of art. "It was taken when Mademoiselle Bruni was a model and it is a naked portrait in good taste taken by a well known and respectable artist," the Christie's spokeswoman told Agence France-Presse.

The photograph comes from a collection which includes works by Helmut Newton, Herb Ritts, Richard Avedon et Leni Riefenstahl. Other nudes in the collection include Kate Moss et Naomi Campbell. The sale is to be staged on April 10 -- unless Sarko's image-minders pre-empt it. In the meantime France has spent the day clicking onto the Nouvel Observateur site which is showing the picture. This, you may remember, was the site that incurred Sarko and Bruni's wrath by publishing the text message in which the president was supposed to have asked Cécilia, his last wife, to come back a week before he married Bruni. They seem to be asking for trouble.

 

Comments

[tulip]

Ummm, well now there is no mystery behind Carla and we can say we'know' her almost as well as Sarkozy....

Btw, she is not 'the most beautiful woman' when naked, I can a major flaw already, her boobs pointing in different directions for one! Let's hope we don't come across any more of these, it's not nice to have the public know all your 'flaws'...

[Lily]

This is what one commentator on the Nouvel Obs site said: "C'est comme le SMS, cette photo n'a sûrement jamais existé."

Sarko will have to buy her to make her disappear.

[rocket]

Yeh. So what! I've seen guys in the locker room that have got more on top than she has.

Plus she's so skinny (sans thighs)that she looks like she just got released from a concentration camp.

To each his own but definitely not my kind of gal.

PS - She should keep her clothes on.

PSS - Get a chuckle out of Sarko's latest kick.

http://tinyurl.com/ypwyz2

If this is true why is his wife not helping him out. I thought she spoke English. Maybe it wasn't in the Prenup.

[Guy Cavendish]

@ "ROCKET"
"Plus she's so skinny (sans thighs)that she looks like she just got released from a concentration camp."

Why is it that TimesOnline seems to attract the most knuckleheaded fools to post out of all the UK broadsheet's sites?

[azloon]

this photo comes dangerously close to falling into the category of child porn.

how old was she when this was taken? 15?

didn't this girl's mother feed her?

if she's waiting for her menstruation to start, she may be waiting for awhile.

[Tom]

Whatever would Caesar - or his wife - say?

[Garth Strong]

Much ado about not very much.

[christopher muir]

With some bluntness, Kenneth Clark (“Civilisation”) described the desired effect of the nude pose on the spectator: “No nude, however abstract, should fail to arouse in the spectator some vestige of erotic feeling, even if it be only the faintest shadow - and if it does not do so it is bad art and false morals.”

If anything, the Georges Seurat painting seems to back-up Clark’s axiom rather neatly. The positioning of the main subject’s legs by the painter is more stirring than Bruni’s manufactured “innocent” knock-kneed stance for a photo session.

[Garth Strong]

Yeah. You have to call this one "naked". It does not rise to the level of "nude".

[Eugene]

Ah, the unpredictable French. Nobody else has that panache.

[Thomas]

"So what?" Is really the important question here. Ever since second class biology I know how a grown-up female human looks when bereft of here clothing. The aesthetic value of such a depiction is in the eyes of the beholder, but if someone fancies the picture, let him have it. "Beauty" always creates a positive feeling and these are needed more than anything today. Why anyone would pay 4000US$ for a big print of a picture that can be reproduced 1000 times today without loss of quality or substance is beyond my grasp.

[Romain]

Whatever would Caesar - or his wife - say? TOM
La femme de César ne saurait être soupçonnée"
"Caesar's wife could not be suspicious"
That is very ambivalent Tom.

[Chloë]

It's a woman, just a beautiful woman. Why can't people be more human?.. No need for so much negativity. I find it particularly sad when it's ctually a woman who's criticizing another woman , and this may as well be about Carla Bruni or Britney or Madonna.. It's a lack of manner, elegance but especially a lack of humanity.
/Chloë

[Louise]

The most beautiful thing about her in this photo really is her face and this picture would have perhaps been more flattering if she had been dressed - an example of that old saying "less is more"? Unfortunately for Carla she has always traded on her notoriety as well as her appearance and that will make it difficult for her to leave her past behind. I quite like the fact that Sarkozy followed his heart (and perhaps something else) for her and wasn't persuaded to choose a more suitable partner for public life, keeping Carla as his mistress - something many of his predecessors would have done.

[nila]

Well said, Chloé !

[Annie]

In my opinion she is certainly not one of the most beautiful woman in the world by a long way.

Let's not get carried away...

The picture is a very unflattering shot of Carla's underdeveloped skinny body.

[christopher muir]

Azloon -
The French first lady was twenty-five at the time the snapshot was taken. In a way, your comment turns another famous model's remark about her own past on its head. Jerry Hall observes that she was only fourteen in Texas but really looked as if she were twenty-five.

[Jeff]

Guys in the locker room with more?
No thighs?

I think those posters should come out of the closet and revel in their latent homosexuality.

This is a beautiful photo of a beautiful woman. Simple.

[dot king]

"La femme de César ne saurait être soupçonnée"
"Caesar's wife could not be suspicious" (Romain)

We have that as: "Caesar's wife is above suspicion" (cannot be suspected)

The photo, as far as I'm concerned, is just another photo of just another naked child/girl/woman, of the kind generally used until very recently to sell yoghurt. That it's Carla Bruni or some other woman, doesn't change the principle of its existence for me.
A work of art? Maybe, I can go along with that. Maybe.
Would buying it and owning it be an investment? Maybe.
What next? A calendar, like the XV de France? Maybe.

Outside of France, there are different sensitivities to the use of the image of the naked female body - it's shocking at first when you come to live here, and then eventually you get used to it. Even adverts for light-switches on TV use women with come-to-bed eyes, waiting in the bed all ready and seductive.
In France, on International Women's Day, men give flowers, women are flattered by this attention. Whether this is generalised or just on TV - to give Frenchmen the general idea of how to preserve the status quo, I can't say.
On that level France is rather out of step compared to some other nations. There are some notions that just haven't seeped in. Yet. Maybe.
Carla Bruni's OK, safe and well and living in a certain style, but Ingrid Bétancourt hasn't had much air-time recently . . .

[Emlyn]

Some awful 'macho' remarks, as expected. I wouldn't mind betting some of these guys would, if shown naked in the press, put many women off it for life.

[dot king]

I've just watched the TV news with live coverage of the Presidential Arrival at Windsor Castle.
Carla was looking quite different (from in the photo above) today - she was dressed for starters - in what looked like the uniform of an upper class English Gels' School (try St Trinian's :)).
Off to a good start I'd say, though Carla did catch a cameraman's eye, I distinctly saw the ouistiti-sex and the smile that inevitably follows directly into the lens.
The presidential thumb was sadly in evidence as he inspected the Guard.

Eat your heart out Stéphane Bern, how's that for a right royal rundown?

[Terry]

"In the meantime France has spent the day clicking onto the Nouvel Observateur site which is showing the picture....

They seem to be asking for trouble."

Ahhh, but will the Grand Inquisitor come your way for also posting that nude.

BTW: It appears the hand has replaced the fig leaf.

[Time to catch up]

Time to catch up on the famous SMS. Yesterday the CEO of the Nouvel Observateur was quoted in Le Monde saying:" L'Obs a fait une erreur... à mon avis, le SMS n'a pas existé effectivement. En tout cas, pas à ce moment-là... Nous avons eu tort de le laisser passer... En quarante-quatre ans, une erreur." Translation: "The Obs made a mistake...in my opinion the SMS didn't in effect exist... In any case not at that precise moment." (the moment M Perdriel is refering to is the '8 days before the President married Carla Bruni', this wss the 'killer' point Routier insisted on, later admitting in front of Police that he wasn't sure of the date the SMS was sent. This news of the error was also published in Le Figaro, the Nouvel Oberserateur, Le Parisien etc etc. I think you have quite enough with you nude photo of Madame Bruni Sarkozy for a hatchet job on the French President and you can afford to announce this important confession on the part of the Nouvel Observateur

[The 3rd Column]

No doubt Carla Bruni Sarkozy looks more gorgeous and a lot prettier than any of the world's current first ladies.

By the way, Charles, are you or aren't you on the trip as a leading member of the press pack specialising in France?

['Fraid not. We have a big team of crack reporters on the case in London, including ex-Paris correspondents. CB]

[Mostyn Hemmingway]

I find it difficult to believe that any man under the age of 60 would think Carla was beautiful. She's minging.

[Mick]

True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but wow, so many jealous women out there. Just my opinion, but I happen to think Mme Sarkozy is a stunningly beautiful woman and the possessor of no little intelligence to boot. Female posters should be rallying around their sister in the understanding that there is nothing more ugly and unattractive than undeniable envy.

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

During many years living in France and knowing French women in London, they always assured me: "No man looks at a woman over 40,"
Today they did, and the crowd waiting in Windsor for the arrival of Carla were talking about her, not her husband or the Brit Royals. "What will she be wearing?" "She has a special dress for this evening..." etc.
We are truly in the age of the celebrity, but Carla did not let France down: a lovely smile, elegant in the grey warm suit and black belt, her curtsy was perfect, a small bow, a bending of the knee, a flash of calf....
I do not know when her birthday is but men will be looking at the gorgeous Carla for many years to come...

[Daisy]

The only mystery left with these two is 'how long will it last?' Alas, I think we all know the answer to that question.

[Spring Rain]

OHMYGOD-You Brits are funny when you tear someone up-as an American, I'm laughing my arse off -but...did anyone see Camilla's get-up today? What, did she just get released from a bird and wildlife sanctuary or what, with that leopard trim coat and that matching brown spotted bird feather cap? HIDEOUS! As for Carla Bruni, remember, she is Italian, and she HAS had major face-lifts (look at pictures of her when she is around 19-20 and you'll see she looks an awful lot more like a "vera Italiana" than her unlined (and quite Botoxed) pale face of today. No, I'll have to sign on to those who believe she is NOT one of the "most beautiful women in the world"-and there is her remarkable resemblance to Cecelia, Sarkozy's newly-married second wife, no?

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

Daisy: My answer is: They will be together ten years from now and she will have three children, the first very soon. Go for it, Sarko == Build a House, Plant a Tree, make a baby. And stay friends with the Brits and the Yanks, but I think you know which side your tartine is buttered.

[Claire]

Carla Bruni is from Italy and no she's not ugly and yes she's a little skinny and so what? French people didn't spend their whole day clicking this picture.. This is the first time I see it (and it is on Times website) and I think she looks better now. But it's interesting to read your opinions to know your points of view.

[Spring Rain]

Uh, don't think so Peter-she's over 40...they've got 4 children between them already....but, you never know, Monsieur Sarkozy, aka Mr. STUD MAN en anglais!

[peter kinsley www.peterkinsley.com]

MOSTYN - I hope that you are not related to old Hem. He knew a beautiful woman when he met one -- Marlene Dietrich. French women are wrong to say that no man looks at a woman over 40, and men of any age can judge beauty and, I have news for you,...you never lose the urge. A beautiful woman stays beutiful all her life, and that is not surface beauty, but interior beauty. The word is amaranthine. A beautiful woman has high cheek bones, long legs, walks like a panther. Carla has it.

[Lily]

The Sarkozies (Sarkozy’s, Sarkozys) may officially complain about the moment in time chosen to sell this photo at Christie’s. Have they taken any action? Carla is probably secretly pleased with it. She has been immortalized at age 25, looking 15. She’s 40 and everybody will see eternal youth underneath her grey state-visit dress.

Her pose may mimic Seurat’s painting. The photo’s setting is serene, empty - it doesn’t have a background or other naked women around. Its purpose is likely less to seduce (as some men here appear to have expected) than to represent eternal youth and beauty. I perceive her as a 21st century Venus de Milo – goddess of love and beauty (although the photo dates back to the last century).

If women here envy her that is because Bruni (on this photo and/or for real) has the effortless body most strive for because it represents the timeless (?) fashion-ideal that dresses best these days.

[Spring Rain]

So it's interior beauty is it? Well then, Camilla must compare favorably to Carla then, leopard cuffs and all!

But uh, keep your clothes ON, Camilla!

[dot king]

But, as has been said repeatedly here, beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder, and women can appreciate female beauty too.
But beauty (as appraised by whichever eye alights upon it) is not an achievement, therefore I won't congratulate someone on their beauty, nor will I criticise someone only on their looks. Such an exercise is futile.
I do happen to think that Carla Bruni is lovely, I also think she's graceful and gracious, and not without intelligence.
And that she needn't simper every time she sees a camera pointed at her.
It isn't catty for a woman not to find Carla Bruni-Sarkozy beautiful, nor is it necessarily born of jealousy. Why is it "preference" or "taste" when a man doesn't find a woman attractive, and "cattiness and jealousy" when a woman doesn't?

Carla Bruni-Sarkozy has led a pretty futile life to date, and now finds herself in a position that has no particular rôle attached. Perhaps she'll surprise us all and make something of it, perhaps she'll get bored and move on.

I couldn't help thinking, whilst I was watching the Royal Horseguards ride by her, that possibly she was getting more salutes than the Queen. I was reminded briefly of that episode of "Ab Fab" where there's been a fire in the kitchen and Edina suddenly shouts "Pats! No she can't be down there, she wouldn't have let six grown firemen out alive!"
All those Horseguards! Mmn - mn!

[la Focque]

that's the way we roll in France!!
in the 90's for example Mrs Le pen shown her bottom on the cover of "playboy": no one was shocked. I don't know if it's good or not, but that photograph of carla is far less shocking than far more others published in France. moreover, she's quite beautiful.

[rocket]

Emlyn

"Some awful 'macho' remarks, as expected. I wouldn't mind betting some of these guys would, if shown naked in the press, put many women off it for life."

Wanna bet? Not in my case since you may need proof.

http://s76.photobucket.com/albums/j9/rivierarocket/

First three pix on top should be enough proof. Like I said I think I got more than her.

And you?

[Fernandez]

Carla looks a bit like Elizabeth Hurley in her air stewardess get-up today. So yes, I'd say she does look beautiful today. (Would it be too catty if I said she should run a comb through that mop more often? Oh well...)

She looks awful in the nude pic though. The painting is much more capitivating. If high heels were designed to make women easier to hunt, that emaciated naked picture can only be attractive for men who like their women too weak to struggle.

She looked thoroughly bored during Sarko's speech to parliament.

[sarah, charente france]

I think Carla looked very pretty and elegant today, her hubby must have been tremendously proud of her, good to see her without those huge sunglasses she invariably seems to wear. The photo of her with Prince Philip was very touching. But of course - this is not really the point of Sarko's visit...

[Francois D]

This evening on French TV, we have choice between the match France England and a saga on the royal family.

This morning, an interesting episode in the excellent emission "Télématin".

Http://sansfrontieres.france2.fr/

The distinguished correspondent in London of France TV (public television still ..) Maryse Burgot showed some british tabloids with nuded carla's photo on the first page. Surprised, she hid quickly and did not comment, as did his counterpart in Paris, the editor in chief.

[dot king]

OMG in a British tabloid headline shown on the new, they were calling her Mrs Starkersy!
Brilliant!

[The 3rd Column]

Agree with Mick |who says on 26 Mar 2008 14:40:49:

"True, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but wow, so many jealous women out there. Just my opinion, but I happen to think Mme Sarkozy is a stunningly beautiful woman and the possessor of no little intelligence to boot. Female posters should be rallying around their sister in the understanding that there is nothing more ugly and unattractive than undeniable envy."

Yes, she's quite a dish and boy, is she getting a lot of flak from media, especially from British tabloids, and from every tom, dick and harry in the blogsphere including from Charles Bremner's lil lady commenters here.

I'm beginning to really sympathise with her. She's been criticised, ridiculed, called every awful name you can think of, etc., etc. People will not stop at anything, stoop the lowest they can, go vitriolic, through sheer envy and jealousy.

[V]

"good to see her without those huge sunglasses she invariably seems to wear"

Prosaic as it may sound, both her and her husband are actually extremely sensitive to daylight..

[azloon]

[If high heels were designed to make women easier to hunt, that emaciated naked picture can only be attractive for men who like their women too weak to struggle] M. Fernandez

ROTFL

or who like little slippery ones who disappear into the sheets.

oh well, only six weeks 'til cinco de mayo !!

[froggy]

She is a sorry lady in desperate need of attention. I don't find her pretty at all and although i don't feel sorry for her as she gets what she deserves. However, i do feel sad for her selfishness. I always wonder how people like that look at themselves and their greedy selfishness.
He thinks he is the ginsbar (Serge Gainsbourg) of his time. You suck Sarko, you are gross with your bimbo. Period, no class whatsoever.

Sold out to the U.S.A.. go to hell Sark-bar. I am French and of his political leanings but, he is no longer my pres

The hell with you sark-bar, you are a looser anymore. go to hell, give me my country back just as i refuse to use any english words in my french another thing i don't get but oh well.

Vive la France
Vive le general
vive Dominique

[azloon]

CB

your timesonline 'Psycho Tamed' piece is nice.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/guest_contributors/article3628427.ece

[Maggie G]

"she getting a lot of flak from media, especially from British tabloids, and from every tom, dick and harry in the blogsphere including from Charles Bremner's lil lady commenters here." (The 3rd Column)

3rd Column, I think the worst comments on this thread have come from men -- "looks like she just got out of a concentration camp",
"has she started menustarting yet?",
"it's only a naked woman -- does not rise to the level of a nude",
"I've seen guys in the locker room with more on top that she has",
"I'VE got more than she has" (not sure if this one is referring to hair, mustache or pectorals),
"am not stirred by the knock-kneed stance"
"her boobs point in different directions" (this one by Tulip-- could be a woman).

There's one negative comment that everyone seems to have missed, and that is the posture. If you look it for awhile, it begins to remind you of an illustration of scoliosis from a medical textbook.

But it is still a lovely picture. I would love to have legs like hers.

The pictures of her laughing with Prince Philip are gorgeous. I think every French person should be proud to have her for a first lady. And I bet that soon they all WILL be proud.

[Bob]

Skinny ? Emaciated ? Child porn ? WTF ?

I know obesity is on the rise in the industrialized countries, but have you really internalized fat, haggard women as the new standard of beauty ?

This is an attractive woman. Not everyone's 'type', of course, but give credit where credit is due. Face slightly mannish, but elegant. Hips maybe not perfect, but could be the pose. Nice legs, breasts smallish but nice shape. They are 'pointing in different directions' because of the pose, and they are high nippled and all natural, not like the implants seen on many models and actresses. If this was your sister or daughter, you would definitely call her 'attractive'.

I've seen this same 'child porn' charge with 21 year old Chinese girls on YouTube. I think it is jealousy: that your sleep-deprived out-of-shape junk-food-eating girlfriend looks 10 years older than she is... so of course, anyone that looks that lithe must be 15. Jeez.

[concedo nulli]

Why can't Charles post something new at this stage? It's interesting to check the comments on Carla's nudity but as a woman I would love to know how she was dressed at 21.00 on the 26th. Carla is a marvel of intelligence and a most stimulating model for all women with dark hair.

[I was writing as your comment came in. See latest post. CB]