Moscow - A painting of an ice encrusted window by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin was auctioned in his hometown of St Petersburg Saturday for 37 million rubles
(1.14 million dollars).

The original "Putin" entitled usor (pattern) brought in a record price among the group of works by 28 well-known individuals, the organizers of the charitable auction were quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying.

"Vladimir Vladimirovitch has composed an excellent picture, although he has only just begun as an artist," said St Petersburg governor Valentina Matviyenko, speaking of the former Russian president. dpa