A new painting that portrays President Barack Obama as the Christ on the cross with the thorn-crown has been going viral on the internet while receiving criticism from the religious authorities. The artist is  New York based Michael D Antuono, who called the painting "The Truth" which shows Obama's Crucifixion instead of the Jesus.

The painting is on display at Boston's Bunker Hill Community College Art Gallery as part of D'Antuono's politically charged “Artists on the Stump – the Road to the White House 2012" collection. The piece of art was originally intended to go on the display several years ago at the New York City's Union Square commemorating his 100th day at the office. He said on his website, "The painting was to be in a mock voting booth for people to view privately and then interviewed to express their own views."

After his painting gained popularity in a very short time, D'Antuono said that he received over 4000 mails most of which described his work as blasphemous. He earlier had to cancel the event fearing the ire of the Christian Right groups who misinterpret his work.

"I always regretted cancelling my exhibit in New York because I feel my First Amendment rights should override someone's hurt feelings," D’Antuono said.

He explained that his painting was misinterpreted and that he meant the depiction of the president being crucified was figurative. "My intent was not to compare him to Jesus.” He went on to blame the media for being conservative while attempting to promote the idea that “liberals believe the president to literally be our savior."

(AW- Anil)