Donald Trump's "puzzling affinity" for Vladimir Putin has inspired Time magazine's latest cover.
If the face looks strangely familiar - it is. Two of the most photographed world figures have morphed into one.
TIME’s new cover: Trump wanted a summit with Putin. He got way more than he bargained for https://t.co/sUu9gGKmmP pic.twitter.com/qq6iOjlis1
— TIME (@TIME) July 19, 2018
Time's statement said its composite image "is meant to represent this particular moment in US foreign policy, following the pair's recent meeting in Helsinki, Finland".
To represent that moment, visual artist Nancy Burson merged the faces of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin into a still image.
Mr Trump's blond hair and eyebrows merge with the Russian president's angular features and blue eyes.
The artist also created a video which morphs between the shifting appearances of the two world leaders.
Mr Trump came under ferocious criticism in the United States following the summit for siding with Russian President Vladimir Putin against US intelligence agencies over claims of Russian interference in US elections, at a joint news conference in Helsinki with Mr Putin.
As the furore grew on his return to the US, Mr Trump backtracked on his remarks, lashed out at "haters" who condemned his meeting, said he did hold Mr Putin personally responsible for election meddling, and rejected a proposal by Mr Putin that Russia be allowed to question US citizens.
In its cover story, Time writer Brian Bennett said, "A year and a half into his presidency, Trump's puzzling affinity for Putin has yet to be explained. Trump is bruised by the idea that Russian election meddling taints his victory, those close to him say, and can't concede the fact that Russia did try to interfere in the election, regardless of whether it impacted the outcome."
Artist Nancy Burson began her pioneering photographic work with MIT scientists, leading to the development of computer-generated compositing technology, and became well-known for developing a technique to age faces, which is used by the FBI to find missing children, Time said.
