What did Mary I (“Bloody Mary”) really look like?
Mary I is a somewhat forgotten figure in Tudor history - her five year reign squeezed between those of her half siblings, Edward VI and Elizabeth I. Her religious zeal has earned her the moniker, “bloody Mary”. But was Mary really the bloody despot that history remembers?
What did Mary I really look like? Are her portraits an accurate representation of the Queen? We’ll examine her portraiture and reveal facial reconstructions down below.
The Monarchs: Elizabeth Woodville, the Dragon-Eyed Queen
Whilst some people wrote legends about her beauty and called her the most enchanting woman in the British Isles, others accused her of witchcraft and considered her a sorceress. Known for her far from noble origins, Elizabeth Woodville was able to charm the future Edward IV and become Queen of England.
The Real Face of King Henry VIII: What did he really look like?
King Henry VIII is an infamous figure in English history, famous for his six wives and the extreme lengths he went to in order to divorce the first - changing religion in England forever.
His reputation looms large in history - and so do his portraits. Today, we’ll dive into Henry’s appearance and reveal some lifelike re-creations, so let’s go!
Do we have a true portrait of Catherine of Aragon? What did she really look like?
Catherine of Aragon is an iconic figure in English history. Catherine was the daughter of Spain’s famous Catholic Monarchs, Isabella and Ferdinand, and the wife of two princes of England, including the infamous King Henry VIII.
But what did Catherine really look like? Movies and TV shows rarely portray Catherine correctly, plus, the most famous portrait of Catherine may not even be her. So, let’s dive into the research and reveal some re-creations of her appearance.
The Face of King Edward VI
Henry VIII and Jane Seymour’s son, Edward, became the King of England at just 9 years old. Despite being quite young when he died, we have a lot of portraits of the young Edward.
What did Jane Seymour really look like?
Jane Seymour is one of Henry VIII’s most enigmatic wives. We only have one or two portraits of her. Despite being the one to give birth to a son, Henry’s greatest desire, she died not long after the birth. We know very little about her - lost to history are her personal thoughts, motivations, and feelings. What did Jane really look like? How did her contemporaries describe her?
What did Queen Elizabeth I really look like?
What did Elizabeth I really look like? Today we’re going to dive into her portraits and contemporary descriptions to reconstruct the face of Elizabeth Tudor.
There are dozens if not hundreds of images of Queen Elizabeth that you can see today. But they all look just a little different. Which is the most accurate - which reveals the true Elizabeth?
Masters of Florence: The Faces of Lorenzo and Giuliano de Medici
Lorenzo de Medici is also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent. Lorenzo and his brother Giuliano were essentially the catalysts for the Renaissance in Florence, Italy during the late 15th century. They espoused Humanist ideals, valuing peace and culture over military conquests, and injected half a billion dollars into art and culture in the late 1400s. Together, they were the joint rulers of Florence.
Empress Sisi: Her Real Face Brought to Life
Empress Sisi was a woman who felt defined by her beauty. First, when her husband Franz Josef of Austria fell in love with her at first sight, when she was only 16. And then, when she became celebrated by her empire for her beauty. However, the free-spirited Sisi felt deeply trapped by court life, her domineering mother in law, and the gossip that surrounded her because of her quirky personality.
What did Mozart really look like?
The true appearance of Mozart is surprisingly contentious - He’s even been described as the most famous person whose true likeness is the least recognized. All of his portraits look a little different. His family members - as well as historians - have commented on this. His sister Nannerl said that she had “never seen so many portraits of my brother that are so different when seen side by side, but that nevertheless all look like him.”