Carla Bruni nude photograph sells for $91,000 at Christie's

A nude portrait of Carla Bruni, France's first lady, recently sold at Christie's in New York for $91,000 - more than 20 times the expected price. It was purchased by an unnamed Chinese art collector.

The photograph dates back to 1993, and shows a naked Ms Bruni, with hands strategically placed, standing pigeon-toed as she gazes pensively at the camera.

The picture was taken by the photographer Michael Comte. Christie's defends its decision to put it up for sale. A spokesperson referred to Ms Bruni as "one of the most beautiful women in the world" and described the picture as "a perfectly respectable work of art."

In media photos, Carla Bruni comes across as understated. She doesn't present as overtly sexy. Perhaps that's why her nude shots seem so natural and in a sense, asexual. She seems entirely comfortable with her sexuality, without letting it define her.

Compared to the tawdry celebrity displays out there, or even compared to the blond productions on Fox, with their overdone hair, overdone makeup and brassy personalities - Carla Bruni seems eminently tasteful, fully dressed or otherwise.

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