PERTHSHIRE, Scotland, July 11 (UPI) -- Two notorious portraits of Madonna painted by a Scottish artist later angrily condemned by the pop star are headed for public auction.
Painter Peter Howson's portraits -- one of a nude Madonna squatting over a grave and the second of the singer in a transparent blouse -- are being sold Aug. 29 and 30 by Sotheby's auction house in Perthshire, Scotland, the Scotsman reported.
The paintings, described by the newspaper as "deeply unflattering," were first exhibited in Ayr three years ago and purchased by anonymous collectors. A horde of international collectors is expected to attend the auction at Gleneagles resort.
Howson told the Scotsman he painted Madonna's likeness from "memory and imagination." Once a close friend of the singer, Howson said he has not heard from Madonna since she angrily condemned him and his work after the Ayr exhibit.
Scotland on Sunday art critic Iain Gale said the paintings will generate plenty of interest now that the formerly racy star is "Mrs. Respectable."
