Mary, Queen of Scots: Dundee University Create Facial Reconstruction
Mary, Queen of Scots: Dundee University Create Facial Reconstruction
Matthew Tucker— The Huffington Post UK
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It's never worth losing one's head in the name of art.
Artists who created some of the most famous portraits of our Kings and Queens can be forgiven for producing a flattering image, rather than a warts and all interpretation.
So when we see the gout-ridden Henry VIII looking a picture of health in a portrait, or Elizabeth I with a perfectly pointy nose and clear complexion, it's fairly safe to assume we may not be looking at an honest impression of our former monarchs.
The University of Dundee has strived to bring us a more realistic image of one of Scotland's most famous historical figures: Mary, Queen of Scots.
A 3D virtual sculpture of Mary has been created by a team of experts for a new exhibition on the Scottish leader's life, opening at the National Museum of Scotland.
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Professor Caroline Wilkinson of the University of Dundee used existing portraits and Mary’s biography to reconstruct her face during her reign in Scotland from the ages of 19 to 26 - a period when there is no portrait record.
The model was created using 3D modelling software and craniofacial templates before digital artist Janice Aitken sculpted clothing and hair, adding textures and lighting to create the finished image.
Professor Wilkinson said: "Normally we would begin the process of craniofacial reconstruction by examining skeletal remains, but of course we didn’t have a skull to work from.
“We had to get the facial proportions and size of her features from portraits which, luckily, were from slightly different angles so we could look at her face from more than one viewpoint."
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Professor Wilkinson and her team turned to the history books to see what Mary was experiencing during this period in her life: illness, grief, miscarriage, and imprisonment.
Mary succeeded to the Scottish throne when her father, King James V died just days after her birth, meaning Scotland was ruled by regents for most of her early years.
Following a tumultuous reign, Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her infant son and, after an unsuccessful attempt to regain her throne, she fled to England seeking the protection of her cousin Queen Elizabeth I.
Perceived as a threat, Mary spent 18 years in custody before finally being found guilty of plotting to assassinate Elizabeth and subsequently executed.
The University's 3D portrait aims to show the stresses and strains of the young Queen as she battled with political turmoil.
Wilkinson added: "She is not what you would describe as a classic beauty. Mary had quite a big nose and a strong chin so when you describe her verbally she doesn’t sound attractive, but the paleness of her skin, red hair, and strong features meant she had a very striking appearance.”
The Mary, Queen of Scots exhibition opens on 28 June at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh and runs until 17 November.
- A powerful no-nonsense female leader, Elizabeth might have straightened her hair in a powerful yet stylish short cropped style - Known for her love of fashion, she would be more likely to wear a bespoke stylish and unique female suit made with rich colours and material - Rarely pictured smiling, Queen Elizabeth exudes power in the modern day portrait, and hides her new veneers purchased to disguise her notoriously bad teeth
SHAKESPEARE(02 of05)
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- Daring and forward thinking hipster Shakespeare has been fashioned as a ‘modern day playwright’ with his edgy Shoreditch shirt and waistcoat look - He has been given piercings on both ears, leaving questions about his sexuality unanswered - An actor as well as a playwright, Shakespeare might have taken advantage of modern-day hair transplanting techniques to sport a full head of hair like numerous celebrity actors
MARIE ANTOINETTE(03 of05)
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- Her three-foot tall hair has been let down and her unusually high forehead concealed with a trendy fringe - Known for her crooked teeth in her youth she has been given a full modern-day orthodontic treatment - Teased for her small breasts as a teenager, she has been given breast implants - Known for being fashionable and changing clothes three times a day, Marie Antoinette is dressed in a modern designer dress. Reported to express how she was feeling through the accessories in her wig, she is wearing a flirty Philip Treacey style hat - Her modern day portrait also shows the her fully-made up in colourful make-up
ADMIRAL LORD NELSON(04 of05)
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- A Vice Admiral and dedicated navy officer Nelson is dressed in a modern naval uniform - In today’s Navy – Nelson would spend more time deskbound and as such he would have gained a little weight which is reflected in the portrait - To replace the right arm lost after being wounded in battle, he has been given a prosthetic to wear - The Victoria Cross wasn’t available during his time but had they been in existence, he would have qualified
HENRY VIII(05 of05)
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- Renowned for being vain and lavish, King Henry has been given white veneers and hair plugs to hide his balding head - Henry VIII, known to flaunt his wealth, is now out of his voluminous puffed sleeve velvet gown and in a tailored designer black suit, wearing a sparkling diamond ring and designer watch - Instead of the cotton shirt fastened up to the chin he now sports an unbuttoned shirt ‘Simon Cowell’ style and is very much the ‘modern day lady killer’ - An avid sportsman and known for being conceited he has been slimmed down. Henry’s vanity would have ensured he would have retained the naturally muscly, rugby-player type figure he had in his youth - Known for having spent a lot of time outdoors riding, hunting, and playing tennis, Henry VIII has also been given a tan - Henry VIII has exchanged his uncomfortable flat footed shoes for modern shoes with a heel