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Ever since I was a child, I have been fascinated by historical facts and archaeology. I think humans perceive the past as a series of events; something like a movie that we can’t really feel or touch. I believe the things that bring us closer to the past are those that truly humanize us - the bodies from Pompeii, the perfectly preserved Inca mummies, the personal objects of long-gone historical figures, and more.

I’ve always thought how incredible it would be to see historical events and the famous people the way they actually happened and the way they actually looked. I started Royalty Now in February of 2019, simply as a way for me to see my favorite historical figure, Anne Boleyn, as a woman of modern times. I wanted to know if she could come to life from the few pale, flat portraits we have of her. I started the account to satisfy my own curiosity about what those interesting people of the past would look like if they were standing right in front of me. I’m incredibly thankful for the support and interest the account has received, and can’t wait to see what happens next with other historical people.

More info: Instagram

#1

Nefertiti

Nefertiti

"This bust of Nefertiti (believed to have been sculpted during her lifetime) is famous for its grace and beauty. Nefertiti lived from approximately 1370 - 1330 BC. She was an Egyptian queen and the wife of Akhenaten, an Egyptian Pharaoh. Akhenaten is famous for his attempt to transition Egypt into a monotheistic society (worshipping only the sun god, Aten), instead of a polytheistic one."

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    #2

    Julius Ceasar

    Julius Ceasar

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    Edwin Quantrall
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Friends! Romans! Countrymen! Lend me L million gold pieces that I may invent something better than these tabula!"

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    Stannous Flouride
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    His hair should be much thinner, Julius was secretly mocked by his contemporaries for his forward comb-over. (sure glad we live in a modern world where our world leaders aren't so shallow and vain)

    Mimi M
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They are missing the broadness at the top of his forehead. They made the top of his head too narrow.

    Bad Asterisk
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow, looks like Tobias Menzies! Haha; I googled Tobias Menzies' picture and this was actually made on his image!

    Zane Thompson
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the irony that he is played Brutus in “Rome” and sunk the final knife to finish Caesar off

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    Victorya Shidlovskaya
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    somehow they all look worse than statues - less character, strength.. Maybe shadows are not strong enough, so drawn faces loose their muscle tension

    Tony De Franco
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hair is different . Caesar's hair is curly ,, and Caesar would probably be more tan complected . Even in those days Italians were darker than that I believe

    Bobbi Gardner
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't mean he looks like me. I just commented in the wrong place. This is meant for madam Pompafour below!!! Lol!

    Steve Berry
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That statute is not one of the generally accepted likenesses of Julius Caesar. His forehead would have been larger, his hair thinner on top and his hair would have been blond. Even so, Caesar was a tough customer and the drawing reflects that. But, the likened does not reflect his charm (he won election after, never losing a single one, and he was an accomplished seducer of women) or his intelligence (he wrote an accomplished memoir of his conquest of Gaul, now France, that students still read and spoke both LTin and Greek fluently.

    Sid Watson
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    guy would have been hard a nails - and they make them look so soft ?

    Sandra Wolf
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Am I the only one seeing Christopher Eccleston as the 10th Doctor Who...? 🤨

    Alfredo Pena
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It amazes me me that you would put his skin so white? It's now known the colors were some of the first things to fade do to time. Most definatly looked more middle eastern. JS

    Adrien Nash
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He would look about 75% different if he had ice blue eyes, had blond hair, and his left ear was where it is on the sculpture. Otherwise, an amazing adaptation. Can one make a request to see the described version # 2?

    Philip Lecompte
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He looks somewhat mentally imbalanced which I would assume he was, all things considered ...

    Jerry Stander
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    IN THE LIVES OF THE TWELVE CAESARS BY THE ROMAN BIOGRAPHER SUETONIUS, THE THEN GENERAL GAIUS JULIUS IS DESCRIBED AS BEING BALD WHEN HE SLIPS ON THE BEACH UPON LANDING ON AFRICA (A BAD OMEN), BUT RISES QUICKLY WITH A FIFTFUL OF SAND PROCLAIMING "AFRICA, NOW I HAVE YOU!"

    Bruce Enlow
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't realize that Julius would have been such a fan of Miami Vice

    Helen Chappell
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Julius is very disappointed in you and it's going on your permanent record.

    Mel S
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Skin should be less pale, more tanned...This looks too marble-like for a veteran campaigner.

    Katherine Boag
    Community Member
    5 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Doesn't do it for me, I'm too used to the portrayal in the Asterix books where he is old with white hair

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    #4

    Alexander The Great

    Alexander The Great

    "I did some research on his looks and it is recorded that he had curly golden hair and heterochromia (one eye blue and one eye brown or a combo of both), so he was definitely a striking figure."

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    #5

    Agrippina The Younger

    Agrippina The Younger

    "Agrippina the Younger is someone I only recently learned more about but she had a crazy life. She was the sister of Emperor Caligula and the mother of Emperor Nero. I highly recommend giving her a search if you’re interested in that era of Roman history!"

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    ju Hel
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Her (I think 3rd) husband changed her birthplace, a small village, into a roman city in her name. The oppidum ubiorum became Colonia Claudia Ara Agrippinensium, CCAA. Today known as Cologne (Köln)

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    #8

    Mary, Queen Of Scots

    Mary, Queen Of Scots

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    Lauren Moss
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Love that you can see the resemblence between Mary and her cousin Elizabeth I!

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    #9

    Madame De Pompadour

    Madame De Pompadour

    "Jeanne Antoinette Poisson, better known as Madame de Pompadour. She first caught the eye of Louis XV at a masked ball in 1745 (it was said that she was dressed as a domino, and he was dressed as a plant) and was his chief mistress thereafter until 1751. Even after she was no longer Louis' mistress, she was a trusted friend, confidante, and advisor, essentially becoming one of the most powerful women at the French court until her death in 1764."

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    #10

    Empress Elisabeth Of Austria

    Empress Elisabeth Of Austria

    "During her life, Elisabeth (known as Sisi), was known for being beautiful, smart, rebellious and passionate. Definitely worth some digging into if you are interested in late 1800s Europe."

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    #12

    Katherine Of Aragon

    Katherine Of Aragon

    "This portrait of Katherine of Aragon, wife of King Henry VIII and Queen of England from 1509-1533, has always been my favorite. There are several portraits of her that all range in looks, so it’s hard to tell her true likeness. I think this one captures her piety, meekness, and obedience as documented by historians."

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    #13

    Louis XV

    Louis XV

    "Louis XV is lesser known than his predecessor the Sun King and his heir, Louis XVI, but he was the second-longest reigning monarch in French history. I have always known him by his famous mistresses, Madame De Pompadour and Madame du Barry."

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    Seabeast
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He loved working with his hands, apparently. He'd probably have been a mechanic, carpenter, or worked at some other trade in modern times. Maybe a mechanical engineer, if he did go white collar.

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    #14

    Catherine Parr

    Catherine Parr

    "She was the only wife to outlive the king, who was tyrannical in his last years."

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    Viviane
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anne of Cleves outlived him as well. She got the best deal: Henry VIII annulled the marriage within a year, gave her some nice properties, a title, and honorary membership to the family as "the King's Beloved Sister" (invitations to court without the hassle of being married to someone toxic).

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    #15

    Marie Antionette

    Marie Antionette

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    #16

    The Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov

    The Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov

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    #17

    Queen Isabella Of Castile

    Queen Isabella Of Castile

    "Queen Isabella of Castile, partner to Ferdinand II of Aragon and the queen who sent Columbus on his way to the “new world” in 1492. "

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    #18

    Emperor Augustus

    Emperor Augustus

    "Emperor Augustus (born Octavius, the great-nephew of Julius Caesar) was the first emperor of Rome, ending 500 years of republic. He’s an incredibly controversial figure, especially due to the smart and ruthless way he came to power, but he ruled over a time of relative peace in the Roman empire."

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    #19

    Abraham Lincoln

    Abraham Lincoln

    "Abe Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. Lincoln led the nation through the American Civil War, its bloodiest war and its greatest moral, constitutional, and political crisis. He preserved the Union, abolished slavery, strengthened the federal government, and modernized the U.S. economy."

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    #20

    Christina Of Denmark

    Christina Of Denmark

    "Christina of Denmark, seen here in an original Hans Holbein portrait, lived from 1521 - 1590. Christina was considered as a possible bride for King Henry VIII of England. Christina was not fond of the English King's reputation, given that he had divorced his first wife and beheaded his second wife. The originator of one of the greatest quotes about King Henry in history, Christina famously said: "If I had two heads, one should be at the King of England's disposal." What an amazing denial to a marriage proposal."

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    #21

    Katherine Howard

    Katherine Howard

    "Katherine Howard (c. 1523 – 13 February 1542) was Queen of England for only 16 months as the fifth wife of Henry VIII. Katherine was actually the cousin of Henry's second wife, Anne Boleyn. When they married, he was 49 and she only 16 or 17. Katherine was accused of adultery and executed by the King, ending her short reign as the Queen of England."

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    #22

    Eleanor Of Toledo

    Eleanor Of Toledo

    "Eleanor of Toledo was an astonishing woman. Originally from Toledo, Spain, she was a bride to a famous member of the Medici Family, Cosimo I de Medici. Her husband regularly consulted with her on matters of politics, and she even served as consort during his time away from Florence."

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    #23

    Madame Du Barry

    Madame Du Barry

    "This is Madame du Barry - the official mistress of Louis XV after his first love, Madame de Pompadour’s death."

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    #24

    Caligula

    Caligula

    "Caligula, infamous brat and Roman Emperor."

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    Christoph Lindemann
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You could have just postet a picture of Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon in Game of Thrones). They look pretty much alike.

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    #25

    Napoleon

    Napoleon

    "Did you know that Napoleon was most likely 5'7"? That's taller than King Louis XIV. Some say his perceived smaller stature was due to him looking small in comparison to his huge accomplishments. Others say there was an error when translating his true height from French to English. Who do you think he looks like here?"

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    #26

    Benjamin Franklin

    Benjamin Franklin

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    #28

    King Henry VII

    King Henry VII

    "Here we are with Henry VII, the first tudor monarch, a frequent request from you all. Henry was the last king of England to attain the throne in battle after defeating Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485."

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    Sunny Hernandez
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank God for Princess Di and Kate Middleton. Inbreeding leads to so much ugliness. 😁

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    #29

    Mona Lisa

    Mona Lisa

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    Patrick O'Brien
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Close, but if I met the likeness, I'm not sure the first thing I would think of is Mona Lisa. The shape of the face is not quite right and her expression lacks the subtlety of the original.

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    #30

    Grace Kelly

    Grace Kelly

    "Grace Kelly, American film actress and Princess of Monaco."

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    Jim Kang
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look, she doesn't need you to "improve" her look. She was, and still is stunning.

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    #32

    Anne Of Cleves

    Anne Of Cleves

    "Another of Henry VIII's wives (arguably the luckiest of the six), this portrait really shows the beauty of Anne of Cleves. The reputation she earned after being rejected by the King was completely unearned in my opinion."

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    #33

    Prince Albert

    Prince Albert

    "Prince Albert, shown here at age 21 and painted by John Partridge in 1840. Albert was the Prince Consort to Queen Victoria for 22 years, resulting in 9 children and a massive dynasty that would eventually extend to many of the royal houses in Europe."

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    #34

    Ingrid Bergman

    Ingrid Bergman

    "Not exactly royalty....but definitely Hollywood royalty. Academy award-winning actress Ingrid Bergman."

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    Nisse Danielsson
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just take a photo of Izabella Rossellino, het daughter, it looks exact like the photo on the right.

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    #35

    Jane Seymour

    Jane Seymour

    "Jane Seymour was the third wife of Henry VIII, and the only one to give him a living son and heir."

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    #36

    Wallis Simpson

    Wallis Simpson

    "Wallis Simpson was the American socialite and divorcée at the heart of the Abdication Crisis that caused King Edward VIII to give up the throne. This unlikely turn of events is the reason Queen Elizabeth II rules today, as her father (George VI) stepped in to take Edward’s place as king."

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    #38

    Julie Andrews

    Julie Andrews

    "Julie Andrews is a Hollywood ICON and star of one of my favorites, the Sound of Music."

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