An old saying goes that “appearances can be deceiving”. Although these words are widespread in popular culture and have no scientific proof, they make a certain amount of sense when it comes to the true appearance of famous historical figures. Personalities such as Jesus Christ, Cleopatra, Shakespeare and Bach became famous for their extraordinary lives and deeds. However, their images don’t always match reality: it’s possible that the artists of the past were too generous when portraying these great names of history. In recent studies, anthropologists and facial reconstruction specialists have used advanced technologies and tools to discover what these characters really looked like. Through meticulous analysis involving works of art and other discoveries, it has been possible to reconstruct the faces of important historical figures.
Tutankhamun
You may only know Tutankhamun by name, but you’ve never researched his story in depth. This iconic Egyptian pharaoh held power between 1332 and 1323 BC, in a reign that marked Antiquity. Also known as King Tut, this incredible historical figure took over the leadership of Egypt when he was still a child, around ten years old. His tomb remained lost for 3,200 years until a British archaeologist found it.
Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun’s True Appearance
With the discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb, scholars have been able to reveal new information about this intriguing historical figure. By analyzing the DNA contained in the Egyptian pharaoh’s mummy, scientists have found that he was actually a man in relatively poor health. As well as having contracted malaria on many occasions, King Tut also suffered from serious bone diseases and had flat feet. This explains the statues and paintings that depict Tutankhamun always sitting down.
Tutankhamun’s True Appearance
Nero
Emperor Nero was the last representative of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. He took power at the age of 17, and his story is marked by shocking events. After five years in power, Nero murdered his own mother in order to free himself from her domination. From this point on, his political influence increased, although he also devoted himself to other activities. Nero was an extravagant leader and enjoyed working as an actor, poet and musician.
Nero
The Real Nero
With contemporary technology and the talent of a group of artists, it has been possible to reconstruct the bust of Nero. By analyzing sculptures, busts and drawing representations, Spanish artists have given the emperor a realistic face. As a result, it is possible to see the possible features of the famous Roman emperor, who was not the most beloved of all. It is said that, before committing suicide, Nero was still able to boast about his artistic talents.
The Real Nero
Nefertiti
Nefertiti is one of the best-known female characters of antiquity. She belonged to royalty and was the wife of King Akhenaten. Although she played a secondary political role to her husband, Nefertiti surpassed him in terms of popularity. The Egyptian queen was immortalized in sculptures that are still appreciated in museums today. One of her oldest busts was made by the sculptor Thutmose in 1345 BC and only discovered in 1912. But was she really beautiful?
Nefertiti
What Did Nefertiti Really Look Like?
Once again, using 3D technology, experts have been able to give Nefertiti a realistic face. The important Egyptian queen had her face mapped after a series of detailed analyses. Her appearance was deduced mainly from the bust made by Thutmose and other representations considered reliable by scholars of Ancient Egypt. It took 500 hours of work to achieve the result shown in the image. However, there is much criticism of the faithfulness of Nefertiti’s reconstruction.
What Nefertiti really looked like
Robert I of Scotland
Also known as Robert the Bruce, this Scottish king led the country between 1306 and 1329. Driven by strong ideals of independence and freedom, Robert I was enthusiastic about Scotland’s political separation from England. Despite having fought in wars against the English, Robert I was unable to achieve his goals: alongside his compatriots, he was defeated at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Recently, attempts have been made to recreate his real appearance.
Robert I of Scotland
What did Robert I look like?
Even though there are few artistic representations of Robert I, researchers have found another way to reconstruct the Scottish king’s face. There is strong evidence that an ancient skull discovered in Scotland is that of Robert the Bruce. Using the skull in question, scholars from the University of Glasgow were able to achieve the result we see in the image. To carry out the reconstruction, the scientists used Face Lab technology and enlisted the help of artists.
What Robert I looked like
Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar is one of history’s best-known emperors. His fame spanned the centuries, earning him not only ancient sculptures, but also representations in movies and on television. The Roman emperor ruled his people energetically, as he was also a war general with ambitious political interests. He was responsible for the conquest of several territories, which he dominated through bloody battles. Despite his bloodthirstiness, Julius Caesar is considered a military genius.
Julius Caesar
The Real Face Of Julius Caesar
Thanks to Julius Caesar’s enormous popularity, it was relatively easy to reconstruct his face. Researchers have turned to portraits, sculptures and busts produced throughout history in honor of Rome’s ruthless emperor. After a lot of research and data collection, this 3D reconstruction of Julius Caesar was created. Here, the aim was to achieve a realistic representation: you can even get an idea of what the emperor’s hair looked like.
The Real Face Of Julius Caesar
Cleopatra
Popular both in the past and the present, Cleopatra is a symbol of feminine beauty and power. She ruled Egypt for approximately 30 years as co-regent. In 49 BC, Cleopatra was expelled from her own country due to political differences between her and her brother, who was also ruler. Joining forces with Julius Caesar, the beautiful ruler of the Ptolemaic dynasty was able to re-establish herself and had a son with the Roman emperor. But what did she really look like?
Cleopatra
What did the real Cleopatra look like?
Cleopatra’s appearance has been the subject of debate for hundreds of years. It is known that she was polyglot and highly educated, as well as being unusually beautiful. According to many stories, Cleopatra used her own charms to seduce other people, form political alliances and thus achieve her goals. In the 3D reconstruction recently made, Cleopatra can be seen in her splendor. For some, the reconstruction resembles the various actresses who played her in the movies.
What the real Cleopatra looked like
Queen Elizabeth I
Elizabeth I is an iconic figure in British history. She was Queen of England and Ireland between 1558 and 1603, but her accession to the throne came late: first, it had to be legitimized that Elizabeth I did indeed have royal blood. Due to the extensive artistic production made to pay homage to the queen, it was possible to create a contemporary representation. The work is by artist Mat Collishaw, who exhibited the result in 2018.
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I’s Real Appearance
Nicknamed the “Virgin Queen”, Elizabeth I had a unique trajectory in British history. Her reign lasted 44 years and left a deep mark on British culture, making the queen celebrated to this day. In the arts, Elizabeth I has been represented both in paintings and sculptures and on multiple occasions in the cinema. A realistic recreation of Elizabeth I’s face is on display in the Queen’s House, opposite the Portrait of the Armada.
The Real Appearance of Queen Elizabeth I
William Shakespeare
There is much speculation about who Shakespeare, the great English author, really was. Over time, he became famous for unforgettable plays such as Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His works have been adapted for the cinema and he continues to be a reference in dramaturgy. But it wasn’t until 1975, with the discovery of Shakespeare’s death mask, that clues began to emerge as to who he really was.
William Shakespeare
What was William Shakespeare like?
Hildegard Hammerschmidt-Hummel, a British professor and literary critic, was responsible for discovering Shakespeare’s death mask. However, there is still debate about the legitimacy of the mask and whether it really belonged to the English playwright. Decades later, in 2010, a researcher at Dundee University decided to use 3D technology to reproduce the face found on William Shakespeare’s supposed death mask, and this is the result – for some, a rather dark Shakespeare.
What William Shakespeare was like
George Washington
Another well-known historical figure whose appearance has been investigated is George Washington. He was the first president of the United States, governing the nation between 1789 and 1797. Among his achievements were the victory in the War for Independence, the establishment of a new Constitution and the creation of the new federal government. Even today, George Washington is revered in the United States, and his figure appears on the US$1 bill and the US quarter.
George Washington
George Washington’s True Appearance
After a series of investigations, researchers have discovered that George Washington probably looked like this. To arrive at this impressive result, the researchers used portraits and other paintings of the former president as a reference. They then used advanced technologies for the reconstruction. The revered ruler died in 1799 due to throat problems. At the time, he was 67 years old and had many gray hairs, as can be seen in this realistic representation of George Washington.
George Washington’s True Appearance
Maximilien Robespierre
Perhaps you don’t know much about the life of Maximilien Robespierre, or have simply never heard of him. But the truth is that Robespierre was a key figure in Western culture. He was a French lawyer and politician who acted at crucial moments in the French Revolution. He became known for his deeds during the so-called Period of Terror in France, when thousands of people were persecuted for their political and religious views and executed at the guillotine.
Maximilien Robespierre
What Maximilien Robespierre was really like
The Period of Terror was not an easy time for the French people. This period is considered a radical phase of Jacobin rule, in which there were countless deaths. People were persecuted for their political ideals and religious beliefs and judged harshly. At the forefront of this movement was Robespierre, whose face has now been reconstructed. The facial reconstruction was developed by a forensic pathologist and an expert who analyzed the French leader’s death mask.
What Maximilien Robespierre really looked like
Mary, Queen of Scots
Is it possible that the Queen of Scots is really as the paintings present her? Mary became known for inheriting the throne of Scotland, and is still revered by the country’s inhabitants today. Her historical role is undeniable, given that she became queen less than a week after her birth. For decades, between 1542 and 1567, Mary Stuart ruled the Scottish people, but she also had stints at the French court.
Mary Queen of Scots
What did Mary Stuart really look like?
But contrary to what we see in paintings, Mary Stuart had somewhat different features. Her skin wasn’t as white as the painters portrayed her, and she had a rather prominent nose between her almond-shaped eyes. In addition, there are indications that her hair and eyebrows were a strong orangey red, as shown in the reconstruction made by Professor Wilkinson, from the University of Dundee, who used paintings and drawings as reference.
What Mary Stuart really looked like
Richard III
For the British people, Richard III is an illustrious and important figure in the history of England. Richard III ruled the country between 1483 and 1485 – a very short period compared to other kings and their stints on the English throne. With a dubious reputation, Richard III was considered a tyrant, which is proven in the play written by the acclaimed playwright William Shakespeare. The king was assassinated at the Battle of Bosworth Field.
Richard III
Who was the real Richard III?
Although the artistic representations of Richard III are not very reliable, it is possible to find some similarities between them and the facial reconstruction. The true appearance of the famous British king only became known in 2012, after a series of studies and a discovery that shocked the world: the supposed remains of Richard III were found in a parking lot in Leicester! This discovery and the analysis of paintings led to the image.
Who was the real Richard III?
Meritamon
Ancient Egypt is a subject that fascinates people all over the world. With a rich history full of mysteries, the Egyptian people are known for their incredible leaders of the past, including beautiful queens. Among them, Meritamon stands out for being one of the most enigmatic: not much is known about her, except that her name means “beloved of the god Amun” and that she was the wife of Ramses the Great, an important pharaoh.
Meritamon
Who was the real Queen Meritamon?
The discovery of Meritamon’s skull caused quite a stir in the scientific community. It took many studies and debates before it was concluded that the skull did indeed belong to her. However, as she was buried in the Valley of the Queens between the ages of 18 and 25, it was possible to infer that she really was Meritamon. Although the cause of death is a mystery, scientists have proved that she loved sweets, since they found some cavities in her teeth.
Who Was The Real Queen Meritamon
Jesus Christ
It’s impossible to think about Western culture and not talk about Jesus Christ. The great spiritual leader of Christianity had an unquestionable influence on the history and culture of various civilizations, and is revered to this day for his teachings. Biblical passages refer to Jesus as a simple man, but capable of performing mystical and marvelous feats, such as walking on water. However, was Jesus Christ really a hairy blond?
Jesus Christ
What did Jesus look like?
The image of Jesus Christ has become widespread as a white man with a beard and blond hair. We can’t forget his bright blue eyes, which are always highlighted in paintings and statues. However, there are no references to the Christian teacher’s physical appearance in the Bible. In addition, numerous pieces of evidence have led researchers to different conclusions about the appearance of the Son of God – as you can see in the photo, Jesus may have had rough features.
What Jesus Looked Like
Lord of Sipán
Mummies have always aroused our curiosity: how is it possible to preserve the human body for so many centuries? In this sense, one of the most interesting mummies known is that of the Lord of Sipán. After its discovery, a series of other mummies were found in Peru in 1987. Today, they are known as Moche mummies and have raised new insights into the peoples who inhabited the region. Treasures and objects of royalty have been found with them.
Lord of Sipan
Who was Lord Sipán?
When the mummy of Lord Sipan was discovered, the search for more information about him was almost immediate. Forensic experts and anthropologists came together to search for precise details about this person, who probably lived during the reign of King Tut. With modern technology, it was possible to reconstruct Sipan’s skull, which had been destroyed into 96 pieces by pressure during the excavation. The result was the fruit of the work of Brazilian anthropologists and forensic odontologists.
Who was Mr. Sipan?
Saint Anthony
St. Anthony is a well-known figure among followers of Catholicism, a religion that spread throughout Europe and the Americas. According to belief, St. Anthony is able to perform miracles and promote marriages, which gives him the title of “matchmaker saint”. Born in Lisbon in 1195, he is worshipped by Catholics to this day and is one of the main icons of the Catholic Church. As well as facilitating marriages, St. Anthony is remembered for healing the sick.
Saint Anthony
Who was the real St. Anthony?
If you’re used to seeing paintings and statues of St. Anthony, this discovery may come as a shock. Despite always being depicted as a white man with features reminiscent of the European stereotype, Saint Anthony was actually quite different. According to researchers at the Museum of Anthropology at the University of St. Anthony of Padua, the saint was dark-skinned and unshaven. This result was arrived at after the matchmaker’s body was exhumed.
Who was the real Saint Anthony?
King Henry IV
Many kings have become popular throughout history, but King Henry IV is perhaps the most charismatic among them. Affectionately nicknamed “Good King Henry”, he ruled the region of Navarre on his 19th birthday, shortly before his marriage. Also known as Henry the Great, he became an important figure for leading the Bartholomew Night Massacre. As a result of this episode, Henry had to submit to the court of France.
King Henry IV
Did Henry IV Really Look Like This?
Henry IV’s true appearance has recently been discovered. The same team that reconstructed Robespierre’s face set about looking for clues to the physiognomy of the King of Navarre. After a series of studies analyzing paintings, drawings and other representations of Henry IV, the team of anthropologists and artists arrived at this result. With his calm, blue eyes, Henry IV was even more sympathetic than what we see in traditional images.
Did Henry IV Really Look Like That?
Johann Sebastian Bach
For lovers of classical music, Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the names that shouldn’t be missing from the playlist. The renowned German composer was born in 1685, but his work continues to be appreciated and reproduced all over the world. During his lifetime, Bach became a musician known for his talent at playing the organ, and his compositions mainly dealt with religious themes. But does the real Bach look like the one we see in traditional images?
Johann Sebastian Bach
What the Real Bach Looked Like
Although Bach is one of the most acclaimed composers of classical music, it is not known for sure what he looked like. It’s easy to understand why this is so mysterious: after his death, Bach was buried in a grave that didn’t mention his personal details. 150 years after his burial, bones were found that were supposedly those of the German composer. Based on the skull found on that occasion, a facial reconstruction of the genius was made.
What the real Bach was like
Simón Bolívar
Although Venezuela is going through a period of darkness, it is a country with a rich tradition and leaders who have marked history. Among these leaders is Simón Bolívar, a military man who played an important role during the country’s independence. In his career full of achievements and memorable events, Bolívar established himself as one of the most influential personalities in the world. Thanks to his fame, he was affectionately nicknamed El Libertador (The Liberator). The great Venezuelan leader died of tuberculosis.
Simon Bolivar
The true face of Simon Bolivar
Many historical figures have artistic representations that don’t match reality, as is the case with Jesus Christ. On the other hand, scientists have discovered that the representations of Simón Bolívar are relatively faithful. The revolutionary Latin American leader had his data studied by anthropologists and facial reconstruction specialists. In the end, they came to the conclusion that El Libertador had features similar to those in the well-known paintings made in his honor, with a firm, determined and visionary look.
Simon Bolivar’s True Physiognomy
Nicolaus Copernicus
Many historical figures are lost to time. Nicolaus Copernicus, however, will not be easily forgotten: thanks to him, humanity was able to profoundly change its perception of the universe. Copernicus was born in 1473 and was responsible for the theory of heliocentrism, stating that the Earth revolves around the Sun, and not the other way around. This discovery was fundamental to the development of modern astronomy and continues to influence contemporary astronomers.
Nicolaus Copernicus
Who was the real Nicolaus Copernicus?
It’s understandable that the true physiognomy of Nicolaus Copernicus is unknown: the Polish astronomer died in the 16th century, when no one even dreamed of taking photographs. Even so, with today’s technological resources, scientists have been able to produce a facial reconstruction of the famous founder of heliocentrism. Curiously, the great Copernicus seems to have the appearance of an ordinary man, rather than a mad scientist who literally lives in the world of the Moon.
Who was the real Nicolaus Copernicus?