ADVERTISEMENT

Renaissance is a term used to identify the period of the History of Europe approximately between the end of the XIV century and the middle of the XVI century. But does that mean we must travel back in time to see familiar faces in this era? Not necessarily!

Artists from the old site called Worth1000 (now Design Crowd) gathered in a photoshop battle of Modern Renaissance. The idea is to capture the moment and recreate famous paintings of Renaissance but with a modern twist. That is, to digitally manipulate these paintings to have faces of 21st-century celebrities in them.

Although the contest is dubbed "Modern Renaissance", participants of this Photoshop battle chose creative freedom and used paintings that do not specifically pertain to the epoch of Renaissance. Among the submissions, you will find famous paintings from Baroque, Rococo, Neoclassicism and other equally extraordinary periods.

From Rembrandt's self-portraits to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, these Photoshop wizards tamper digitally with the best artworks in art history. And while some works are undoubtedly better than others, the result is very entertaining, nonetheless.

Scroll down the page and see the best of this contest that has lasted for 15 years!

More info: designcrowd.fr

#1

Robin Williams

Robin Williams

A painting by German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer dated 1526 - The Portrait of Jakob Muffel. The subject of the painting was one of the dignitaries of Nuremberg city. He was also a friend of Albrecht Dürer himself. The purpose of the portrait was not to produce an idealized version of Muffel, but to depict him with the highest possible degree of naturalism. Inscription in the top left reads - EFFIGIES JAKOBI MVFFEL AETATIS SVAE ANNO LV SALVTIS VERO MDXXVI.

mandrak Report

RELATED:
    #2

    Amanda Seyfried

    Amanda Seyfried

    Here we see the Portrait of Empress Maria Alexandrovna (1857) by Franz Xaver Winterhalter being used. Maria Alexandrovna engaged with many charitable organisations in Russia, particularly with the Red Cross. Thanks to her efforts, schools and colleges were set up for girls across the country. However, due to her fragile health, she lived a very reserved life especially in her late years. In the portrait, she is depicted elegantly clad in lavish attire. There is also a slight incline of the head, a thoughtful gaze that hints towards the Empress' immersion in her own internal world. 

    drhrach Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #3

    Hugh Laurie

    Hugh Laurie

    This is a 1783 painting called Portrait of Alphonse Leroy painted by Jacques-Louis David. The main subject of this art piece is a doctor and man-midwife named Alphonse Leroy. As he looks towards the viewer, the doctor leans on a copy of Hippocrates' Morbi mulierum, a book about women's illnesses. Next to him stands a lamp (lampe à quinquet) which Leroy had invented himself. Both the book and the lamp are references to Cesare Ripa's Iconologia, according to which these are the symbols of a study. 

    brunosousa.pt Report

    #4

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Michelle Pfeiffer

    Here is a 1785 self-portrait by Adélaïde Labille-Guiard - Self-Portrait with Two Pupils. Although not visible in the image above, the portrait actually depicts the artist with her two pupils - Marie Gabrielle Capet and Marie-Marguerite Carreaux de Rosemond. This piece of art comes from the time during which women had very little power, a time where they didn't commonly have a career other than that of a housewife. Adelaide was among the few female painters of her time. In the painting, Adelaide depicts herself in the process of painting, while her two pupils (notably females as well) look over her shoulder in awe. The painting, in a sense, is a declaration of how proud Adelaide feels about her craft and her own talent. She is talented enough that other people would aspire to be her pupils and learn from her. The artwork contains a powerful message about changing the role of women, the right to pursue a higher knowledge and creative freedom. Adelaide successfully reserved four places for women at the French Academy of Painting and Sculptures.

    pcysmith Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Lois Arrowood
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Michelle also played Lady DeWinter in one of the 3 Musketeer movies. This painting looks much like she did in that movie.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    Patrick Stewart

    Patrick Stewart

    An Old Man in Military Costume is an oil on panel by Rembrandt Harmensz. van Rijn (about 1630-1631). Formerly, this painting was called Portrait of Rembrandt's Father. With this painting, Rembrandt continues to impress with a slightly disheartening layout of browns and grays. What is extraordinary about this painting might not meet the naked eye. Ever since 1968, ever more accurate x-ray scans have unveiled the existence of a second painting underneath this one. That of a young man in green. 

    jk640 Report

    #6

    Emma Watson

    Emma Watson

    In the picture above, we see a 1900 portrait by William-Adolphe Bouguereau - Avant le Bain (Before the Bath). Bouguereau was a French academic painter known for his paintings pertaining to a realistic genre with a special emphasis on the female human body. His works also contain a fair portion of mythological themes and the artist's own modern interpretations of them. During his life, Bouguereau produced 822 paintings, however, the whereabouts of many are still unknown. 

    netodark2012 Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Johnny Depp

    Johnny Depp

    Originally a 1794 painting by Jacques-Louis David - Self-Portrait.

    mandrak Report

    #8

    Helena Bonham Carter

    Helena Bonham Carter

    metagraphika--web-agency Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Foxxy
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yup, this one suits her because of the movie roles she generally plays. I presume that is meant to be John the Baptist’s head on a plate.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Hugh Laurie

    Hugh Laurie

    Originally a 1794 painting by Jacques-Louis David - Self-Portrait.

    mandrak Report

    #10

    Leonard Nimoy

    Leonard Nimoy

    Originally the Portrait of Alexey P. Melissino (1759-1813) by George Dawe. Painted not later than 1825.

    Hidreley Diao Report

    #11

    Penélope Cruz

    Penélope Cruz

    The original artwork is that of Frederic Leighton named A Roman Lady (1858). Frederic Leighton was an English painter and sculptor whose works portrayed historical, biblical, and classical themes and subjects. Leighton's peerage was the shortest-lived one in history. After only one day, his hereditary peerage became extinct when he died. 

    worth1000-user Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #12

    Orlando Bloom

    Orlando Bloom

    Originally Portrait of a Man by Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, also known as Raphael.

    pshoudini Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Fixin'Ta
    Community Member
    5 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He can do the best cocky/haughty look. This is great.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #13

    Anthony Hopkins

    Anthony Hopkins

    The Old Drinker is a portrait from 1661-1663 by Gabriël Metsu. Born into a family of a tapestry worker and painter, Metsu was a Dutch painter known for his history paintings, still life, and genre works. The artist was very hard to pin down because of his eclectic taste in art. Metsu was not known for consistency in style, technique, or one type of subject, at least not for long periods. 

    ufurgger Report

    #14

    Natalie Portman

    Natalie Portman

    Originally Biondina painted by Lord Frederick Leighton (1879).

    underworth Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    Keanu Reeves

    Keanu Reeves

    The Portrait of Madame F by Edouard Louis Dubufe is an oil on canvas painting from 1850-1851. A pupil of his father, Dubufe was a portrait and figure painter born in Paris. His works were popular, especially among the ladies, because of a smooth and elegant coloring and good finish. Although the above work is truly impressive, Dubufe's best-known paintings are The Peace Congress of 1856 at Paris (1857,) and the Prodigal Son (1866).

    qwertyop Report

    #17

    Angelina Jolie

    Angelina Jolie

    Portrait of a Young Woman (1797) by Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun. Madame Lebrun was a distinguished French portrait painter of the late 18th century. Generally, her style adhered to the elements found in the aftermath of Rococo and emergence of Neoclassical style. She served as the portrait painter to Marie Antoinette and in turn, created a name for herself which allowed her to enjoy the patronage of European aristocrats and to be elected to art academies in ten cities. 

    ingelas Report

    #18

    Sylvester Stallone

    Sylvester Stallone

    Originally, one of the many Self-Portraits of Rembrandt (1660).

    frogman12834 Report

    #19

    Woody Harrelson

    Woody Harrelson

    cheapshotinc Report

    #20

    Donald Glover

    Donald Glover

    "This photo combines William Sidney Mount's The Bone Player with the face of the actor, comedian, director, and musician, Donald Glover. William's 1856 American painting portrays an African-American musician playing ivory instruments. It was painted five years before the Civil War. Donald Glover is a musician under the alias Childish Gambino. Childish Gambino is known for songs like "Redbone", "3005", and "This is America". Donald Glover also created and stars in the award-winning TV show, Atlanta.

    Report

    #21

    Leonardo Dicaprio

    Leonardo Dicaprio

    Originally, one of the many Self-Portraits of Rembrandt (1660).

    lefleau Report

    #23

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift

    Original painting is by Edwin Georgi (American, 1896–1964) called In the Shade.

    fisane Report

    #24

    Scarlett Johansson

    Scarlett Johansson

    Originally, a painting called Infanta Isabel Clara Eugenia by Alonso Sánchez Coello.

    malditoamo Report

    #26

    Jim Carrey

    Jim Carrey

    The original painting is by Rembrandt called Portrait of a Bearded Man in a Wide Brimmed Hat (1633).

    negrosaki Report

    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #32

    Michael C. Hall

    Michael C. Hall

    canaan77 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #33

    Lucy Liu And Danny Devito

    Lucy Liu And Danny Devito

    iddeal Report

    #34

    Lilly Cole

    Lilly Cole

    mandrak Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #39

    Taylor Swift

    Taylor Swift

    dutchpuh Report

    #40

    Mila Kunis

    Mila Kunis

    mrcroc Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #42

    Angelina Jolie

    Angelina Jolie

    ma1947 Report

    #43

    Angelina Jolie

    Angelina Jolie

    hoosier64 Report

    #47

    Amanda Seyfried And Elisha Cuthbert

    Amanda Seyfried And Elisha Cuthbert

    emerging-editor Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #48

    Charlize Theron

    Charlize Theron

    underworth Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ahmad Pujianto
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Somehow these pic will goes to a new article about doppelganger stuff BS.. You know, that's just the power of all mighty internet creators..

    #49

    Keira Knightley

    Keira Knightley

    tauntedoctopus Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #50

    Michael Jordan

    Michael Jordan

    mandrak Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #51

    Amy Winehouse

    Amy Winehouse

    omegator Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #52

    Hugh Laurie

    Hugh Laurie

    stadsman Report

    #53

    Post Malone

    Post Malone

    wynand-v Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #55

    Thomas Hardy

    Thomas Hardy

    gooddesign Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pretty Pangolin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thomas Hardy was the author. This is Tom Hardy. (Don't feel bad, IMDb gets that wrong all the time).

    #56

    Arnold Schwarzenegger

    Arnold Schwarzenegger

    netodark2012 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #57

    Nicolas Cage

    Nicolas Cage

    dnunciate Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #58

    Nicole Kidman

    Nicole Kidman

    funkwood Report

    #60

    Brad Pitt

    Brad Pitt

    harun-ar Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #66

    Amy Winehouse

    Amy Winehouse

    kaiser77 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Pretty Pangolin
    Community Member
    5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Best Amy Winehouse pic yet - making her into Frida Kahlo seems appropriate.

    #67

    Justin Bieber

    Justin Bieber

    hagen-brooks Report

    #68

    Tom Cruise

    Tom Cruise

    "Portrait of Innocent X by Diego Velázquez + Tom Cruise Interesting fact: When he was 14, Cruise's ambition was to join the priesthood...he was a Franciscan seminary student."

    jeremyc Report

    See Also on Bored Panda
    #71

    Anne Hathaway

    Anne Hathaway

    daniel-reis Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #72

    Uma Thurman

    Uma Thurman

    pisamceta Report

    #75

    Madonna

    Madonna

    arindam-5 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #76

    Kim Kardashian And Oprah

    Kim Kardashian And Oprah

    clauder13 Report

    #77

    Donald Trump

    Donald Trump

    verchad Report