14 Historical Figures We Know Only Through Art — and What They Actually Looked Like

Most of us picture historical figures through polished royal portraits, striking statues, or cinematic interpretations complete with flawless makeup and often less-than-accurate costumes. Yet the truth behind these iconic faces is far more intriguing. Drawing on every available historical description, we’ve recreated how these notable figures from the past likely appeared — free from artistic gloss or idealization.

Cleopatra

And this is what the Queen of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt may have looked like, according to historians and AI reconstructions.

Joan of Arc

And this is an AI-generated image of the Maid of Orleans, which was made in accordance with historians’ descriptions.

Jane Austen

And this is how the writer’s looks were generated by artificial intelligence.

Gaius Julius Caesar

Historians believe that the appearance of the Roman patrician was like that.

Anne Boleyn

AI generated the portrait of the inspiration for “Greensleeves” like this.

William Shakespeare

And this is what the Bard of Avon looked like according to historians and artificial intelligence.

Elizabeth Tudor

And this is what Elizabeth I looked like in her youth, according to historians.

Vincent van Gogh

This is how the artist saw himself, and below is how the artificial intelligence saw him.

Nefertiti

And this is an AI-generated image of the queen from the 18th Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, created in accordance with historians’ descriptions.

Leonardo da Vinci

Here’s what the AI thinks the great genius actually looked like in his youth.

Margaret of Valois

And this is what Queen Margot looks like according to AI.

Francis Drake

And this is how the famous navigator’s appearance was generated by artificial intelligence.

Maria Stuart

And this is how the Scottish Queen’s looks were generated by artificial intelligence.

Louis XIV

Don’t miss our other article, where we reimagined Old Hollywood icons as they might look today — the results are absolutely striking.