Facial Reconstruction of Cleopatra and More

by Stephanie Dray | Feb 17, 2014 | Daughters of the Nile, Fun Stuff, Lily of the Nile, Song of the Nile | 9 comments

Ok, I just love these videos and could watch them all day, so I’m sharing them with you now.

9 Comments

Vicky Alvear Shecter on February 17, 2014 at 8:28 pm

These are sooooo cool! I hated that they “had” to go and change Cleo to make her prettier though. And why the side view on her? Still, amazing.
- Stephanie Dray on February 18, 2014 at 12:02 pm
  
  I was curious about the side view too, since I’ve seen pictures of this statue from the front, as well, which are lovely. I don’t object to them prettying her up, however, because I assume she would have done the same in terms of jewels and make-up. Though maybe not in Egyptian-style…
Paul Vitols on February 17, 2014 at 8:58 pm

Very interesting–and fun! To the best of my knowledge, the image of Cleopatra is taken from a coin. There are reasons to think that that image was conventionalized and may not be an especially good portrait. Just think about the images on modern coins.

Thanks for sharing these!
- Stephanie Dray on February 18, 2014 at 12:03 pm
  
  I believe it’s a bust, Paul. I’ve seen it from several angles, but you’re certainly right that they stylized portraits of her for coins to make her look fierce.
Michalea Moore on February 18, 2014 at 9:30 am

The one of Cleopatra is stunning, but not conventionally pretty. Pretty sure all of the originals are stylized to a greater or lesser degree.
Gabrielle Carolina on February 18, 2014 at 1:56 pm

I love things like this, I think they’re amazingly cool to watch and consider, thanks for sharing, m’love! <3
- Stephanie Dray on February 18, 2014 at 9:33 pm
  
  You’re welcome!
S.L. Stevens on February 20, 2014 at 3:37 pm

I love this artist’s reconstructions of ancient faces. It helps so much to visualize the characters you’re writing about.
- Stephanie Dray on February 21, 2014 at 11:17 am
  
  Isn’t it great? I wish I had that talent.