A New Image of Anne Boleyn? Re-Creations of the Mysterious Image Found Under Portrait of Elizabeth I
This x-ray image of a woman, found hidden underneath a 1580s portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, has fascinated researchers and the public. It’s led many to come to believe that this is a secret image of Elizabeth’s disgraced mother, Anne Boleyn, and that Elizabeth had purposely painted over this image to preserve her mother’s memory. But, is this image really of Anne Boleyn? And if it’s not, who could it be? I’ll reveal a re-creation of this hidden woman, and then we’ll do a little detective work.
What did Hatshepsut look like? With facial re-creations.
Today’s subject is Hatshepsut, a powerful female pharaoh of Ancient Egypt who used effective propaganda to ensure a long and prosperous rule. She ruled 18th dynasty Egypt from c. 1479 – 1458 BCE.
But what did she really look like?
Reviving the faces of ancient Egypt is difficult - Egyptian art served a very different purpose than it does today. While rulers 500 years ago depicted themselves fairly faithfully, to preserve their image for future generations, Egyptian art was not meant to truly represent the figure at all, but rather the power and idea behind the ruler.
The Faces of Richard III & the Princes in the Tower
So, what did Richard III and the Princes in the Tower really look like?
I wanted to make a re-creation of Richard, who we have more information on. But, I also wanted to give the boys a face, even though source material for their appearances is next to none.
Edward IV & Elizabeth Woodville - What Did they Really Look Like? With Facial Re-Creations.
What did Wars of the Roses figures Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville look like?
Edward and Elizabeth unfortunately come from a time of pretty cartoon-y portraiture. We are still one generation away from the wonderful Tudor portraits by Hans Holbein, and most of the portraiture made during the War of the Roses lacks a bit of skill.
King Louis XIV - Facial Reconstructions
What did the illustrious Sun King really look like?
Louis was not difficult to bring to life, given just how much he loved his own image. There are hundreds of portraits of Louis that were created during his long life, basically from birth, and all the way to old age.
What did Helen of Troy look like? With Re-creations.
How do we re-create the “face that launched a thousand ships”? What a question this is.
Since Helen’s story lives in the realm of mythology, it differs depending on who is telling it. Her personality and beauty traits change depending on the author - and of course the author’s own idea of what the perfect woman looks like.
My goal with the re-creation here is to make the ideal woman using ancient Greek beauty standards, and give an accurate depiction of what a woman considered beautiful in ancient Sparta would look like.
What’s the true face of Alexander Hamilton? Historical portrait re-creations.
While Hamilton has always been an important figure in U.S. history, his popularity in recent years has soared due to the musical, “Hamilton” finding tons of success.
The real man behind the musical was one of stubborn idealism. Many of his ideas make up the framework for the current U.S. Constitution. But some of his other ideas were considered controversial, and he made a lot of enemies during his career in politics.
What did Tudor Queen Catherine Howard look like?
Catherine Howard was the fifth wife of Henry VIII of England - a young woman who never expected to be queen, and paid a terrible price for it. What did she really look like? We will dive into her history and appearance, talking about which portrait is the most accurate and then revealing reconstructions.
Who was the Celtic warrior Queen Boudica, and what did she look like?
Meet the woman who gathered the largest army the Roman Empire ever faced.
What did Joan of Arc look like?
What did Joan of Arc really look like? The French heroine’s appearance is almost entirely a mystery. In fact, a doodle in the margins of French parliamentary notes is the only image that exists from her lifetime, and was sketched by someone who had not even seen her in person.