17 Historical Figures Whose Portraits Hint At Early Photoshop

Photo editing tools have been a fixture in our lives, making it rare to encounter an untouched photo. Yet, don’t assume Photoshop is a product of the modern era alone. The practice of enhancing portraits dates back centuries, with skilled retouchers even present in the 19th century. Artists, too, labored to portray models as more beautiful than reality.

Isabella II of Spain (1830 — 1904)

Mary of Teck, the spouse of George V (1867 — 1953)

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, the mother of Queen Elizabeth II (1900 — 2002)

Princess Helena of the United Kingdom (1846 — 1923)

Victoria, Princess Royal, German Empress (1840 — 1901)

Charlotte of Belgium (1840 — 1927)

Sophie of Württemberg, Queen of the Netherlands (1818 — 1877)

Queen Victoria (1819 — 1901)

Maria Christina of Austria, Queen-consort of Spain (1858 — 1929)

Maria Luisa of Bourbon-Parma, Princess-consort of Bulgaria (1870 — 1899)

Grand Duchess Elena Vladimirovna of Russia (1882 — 1957)

Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria’s fifth daughter (1857 — 1944)

Alexandra Feodorovna, the spouse of Nicholas II of Russia (1872 — 1918)

Princess Alice of Battenberg, the mother-in-law of Queen Elizabeth II (1885 — 1969)

Alexandra of Denmark, the spouse of Edward VII (1844 — 1925)

Bonus: Vincent van Gogh (1853 — 1890)