Russian billionaire, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has allegedly paid an Italian painter for imitations of famous artworks because he does not want to splash out on the originals, Ananova reports.

Daniel Donde, who makes a living selling copies of masterpieces, claims the billionaire Chelsea owner is one of his customers. He said that Abramovich once saw his work in a hotel and immediately contacted him.

Donde said: “He bought a copy of Andy Warhol’s famous painting of Marilyn Monroe. He could have bought the original but he was not interested in investing that much so instead he bought my copy.”

Speaking to Serbian newspaper Blic on the eve of an exhibition of his work in Belgrade, Donde said he had also been commissioned to do more work for Abramovich.

“I am going to London soon to see Abramovich. I have been commissioned to paint his house in the style of the famous painter Gustav Klimt,” he said.

Popularity: 2% [?]