The painting in question entitled "Venus" by the German artist Lucas Cranach the Elder is a full length picture of a pale skinned nude woman, holding a transparent veil and is part of a 70 work showing which is due to go on display at the Royal Academy of Arts in London on March 8.

According to academy spokeswoman Jennifer Francis the transit authorities have refused to display the poster on the trains unless the bottom half is cropped off. Francis said:

"I think it is because she’s totally nude as opposed to say she’s topless. We’re shocked. We wouldn’t have put a poster design forward if we thought it was offensive."

Francis said that the painting, which was completed by Cranch in 1532, was chosen because it best represents the artist's work and that the academy would be uncomfortable altering it.

Lucas Cranch the Elder was a friend of Protestant reformer Martin Luther and was well known by his friend and by the general public for his paintings of nudes.

Venus and Amor

Venus and Cupid.

A statement released by the Transport Authority said:

"We have to take account of the full range of travelers and endeavor not to cause offense in the advertising we display."

Subway rules forbid any advertisements that show people "in a sexual manner" or "in an overtly sexual context."

The British Royal Academy, which was founded in 1768. Sir Joshua Reynolds, the first President of the Academy, was a strong advocate what has come to be called the ""Grand Style" in painting which idealized the imperfect and sought to raise public morals by means of art. Upon his death in 1792 American artist Benjamin West took over as president and sought to carry on the ideals of his predecessor.

A key component of the education that the Academy offered aspiring artists was extensive training in drawing and painting the nude, which was considered the cornerstone of all art. Indeed is was because of this strong emphasis on the nude, and working from live models, that women were bared from membership until 1936 when Laura Knight was the first to gain admittance.

Throughout the normally stuffy Victorian period the nude retained its central place in the cannon of high art which is perhaps why the Academy was so surprised at the actions of transit officials.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Francis said:

"We actually thought it was quite an innocent painting."

Cupid Complaining to Venus.