Greetings to Alan in Muslim Malaysia. The leaders of the great faith of Islam have issued the following fatwa: "In view of the harm caused by tobacco, growing, trading in and smoking of tobacco are judged to be haram [ absolutely forbidden ] ".

Lisa, Hong Kong, China

All I wanna say is, if that is a mirror behind her and supposed to show her reflection, it is all wrong. How is it a reflection of her face when her back is to it?? I don't care if she is smoking or naked but the mirror definitely need to be fixed ASAP! LOL

Kelly L. Lunsford, Mulberry , USA

If Newport doesn't want it, I take it.

Cosima, Hong Kong, China

To the person is Spain, I give a wave from Malaysia - whilst smoking happily. I too am glad to have left the Great Brutality of Small Minds.

To the comment about just about being able to see the butt, thank you for the best laugh so far today!

Alan, Kuching, Malaysia

Obviously painted in a time when "freedom" had just been hard fought for.
Quite right that she should be smoking, two years earlier she could have been bombed to pieces by the Luftwaffe, so she is enjoying life, because then they knew how to enjoy it while they had it! FREEDOM!

Pete, St Albans, England

I this is a great Painting, the woman looks so strong, defiant and Self possessed, its fantastic........but then maybe thats what they didnt like about it the first time around!

Veronica, Ballina,

I am speechless.
Am I glad I got out of the madhouse that is now the UK. Whatever happened to commonsense?
Orwell's prophesies are coming true.

Stuart, Motril, Spain

Do those complaining also object to all those Dutch Masters where men are sitting around smoking pipes? They probably do - the world is full of small-minded bigots.

Roger Tilbury, Worthing,

local councils never change

rob, wallasey,

What is a Council Chief in Newport, Sth Wales? Just a glorified bartender that doesnt understand anything about art and who's more concerned with a pitiful and useless smoking ban than displaying a work of art. And why was it banned in the first place? Hasnt there been nudes before? This is ridicule

Will, Madrid, Spain

if you look really carefully, you can just see the butt....

richard, Chislehurst, Kent