Photographer Creates Side-By-Side Portraits Of Famous Historical Figures With Their Descendants

When we learn about historical figures, there isn’t necessarily much thought given to their direct descendants, unless those descendants were also noted for political or artistic accomplishments. That might be because the longer ago a famous person lived, the more dispersed their direct line becomes.

Photographer Drew Gardner has been working on a project in which he finds descendants of people who have changed history or been an important part of a cultural legacy. Then, using lighting, props, and costumes, he tries to recreate an image of them as their ancestor.

Gardner spoke to Bored Panda, telling them that he first thought of the idea when his mother remarked on how much he resembled his own grandfather.

“It got me thinking if I [really] looked like my grandfather and if people alive today would bear any resemblance to famous forebears,” he explained. His subjects have been chosen on a more important basis than family resemblance. He wants his subjects to be iconic.

“It is important that no matter what the person’s achievement that there is a degree of recognition or familiarity,” he explained. “This is not always possible but it is my starting point.”

Gardner has used the Internet to track down his subjects and the help of genealogists and museums. The photographs are interesting because of the way people look like someone from hundreds of years ago, but also for the ways they don’t, telling a story of change through time.

“Sometimes through the viewfinder, I feel a flash of recognition, though I am never sure if it is wishful thinking or more,” said Gardner.

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Photographer Creates Side-By-Side Portraits Of Famous Historical Figures With Their Descendants (15 Pics)

Photographer Drew Gardner has been working on a project in which he finds descendants of people who have changed history or been an important part of a cultural legacy. Then, using lighting, props, and costumes, he tries to recreate an image of them as their ancestor.

Gardner has used the Internet to track down his subjects and the help of genealogists and museums. The photographs are interesting because of the way people look like someone from hundreds of years ago, but also for the ways they don’t, telling a story of change through time.

1. Elizabeth Cady Stanton 1850, Elizabeth Jenkins-Sahlin

2. William Wordsworth 1798, Tom Wontner, Wordsworth’s Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson

3. Clive Of India, Robert Clive 1773, Robert Holden, Great-Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson Of Clive Of India

4. Isambard Kingdom Brunel 1857, Isambard Thomas, Brunel’s Great-Great-Great-Grandson

5. Horatio Nelson 1800, William John Raglan Horatio Tribe, Nelson’s Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson

6. Berthe Morisot 1872, Lucie Rouart, Great-Granddaughter Of Berthe Morisot

7. Arthur Wellesley 1st Duke Of Wellingston 1824, Jeremy Clyde, Great-Great-Great-Grandson Of The 1st Duke Of Wellington

8. Charles II 1653, Lord Charles Fitzroy, 9 Times Great-Grandson Of Charles II

9. Frederick Douglass 1863, Reuben L. Andrews

10. Napoleon 1812, Hugo De Salis, Great-Great-Great-Great-Grandson Of Napoleon

Aimeé Lutkin