What in the world...

LONDON (AFP) — London transport officials have come under fire for banning a poster showing a classic nude painting of Venus on the Underground train system, because it might offend travellers.

The poster was part of an advertising campaign for the Royal Academy for a forthcoming show on the 16th century German painter and printmaker, Lucas Cranach the Elder.

But London Underground said it breached guidelines against advertising which "depict men, women or children in a sexual manner, or display nude or semi-nude figures in an overtly sexual context."

Here's the story at the AFP web, and a rehash at Reuters and Guardian.

"The Academy is outraged." No comment.