Charity Auction-Bound Painting of the Beatles' Penises Defaced in Liverpool

BY Stephen CarlickPublished Oct 12, 2012

A painting of the Beatles' penises that was to be sold at auction to benefit a children's charity has been "pressed and badly smudged."

According to according to Click Liverpool [via FACT], the painting by Jonathan Gent (seen above) was to raise funds for the children's charity Claire House, but the painting has been so mishandled by Museum of Liverpool attendees that it may preclude it from being sold. Experts are currently evaluating the work in order to make a decision.

Why was there such a painting to begin with? According to Gent, the Beatles are "such a global thing, this untouchable thing, and that's what interests me most about them. So this idea of suddenly having their dicks on a canvas … it was about, I guess, closeness, you know, getting close to this idol in some way."

Other works in the exhibition include pieces by Yoko Ono and original Beatles bassist Stuart Sutcliffe, as well as other works that symbolize the affinity Liverpool has for their hometown heroes.

Oh, and we know what you're waiting to ask. It goes, clockwise from top left: Paul, George, John, Ringo.

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