Mary Shelley – Unique Photo Rework from a Painting

Last updated on November 10, 2023

As often happens in the reworking of ancient paintings, the analysis of Mary Shelley‘s biometric features revealed a limited availability of reference sources. Throughout the 19th century and earlier centuries, artists were often tasked with creating idealized interpretations of their subjects, and the artistic conventions of the time could exert a considerable influence on the representation of physical traits.

In this context, we are faced with an exciting challenge: that of interpreting the subtle biometric clues present in the portrait of Mary Shelley in order to reveal the distinctive elements of her face.

Photographic Rework of Mary Shelley

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Whenever I delve into biometric analysis, my attention is focused on the facial structure, exploring proportions, lines, and details that define an individual. I have studied the features of Mary Shelley, the renowned author of “Frankenstein,” through the aforementioned 1840 oil portrait. I believe that this portrait can reveal much more than meets the eye at first glance. Key elements, such as facial features, eye dimensions, lip and eyebrow shapes, and especially the expression of the mouth, have provided essential data for interpreting Mary Shelley’s personality and character, which I have sought to capture in my digital photographic reinterpretation.

It should be emphasized that in the tradition of 19th-century artistic portraits, artists often had the task of downplaying imperfections and accentuating desirable qualities, such as nobility or intellect, creating an idealized vision of the individual. In the process of reworking this painting, I made meticulous choices with the intent of capturing not only the physical appearance of Mary Shelley but also her essence.

The original portrait, which provides an important testament to the appearance of the famous writer when she was around 40 years old, is the work of Richard Rothwell. In the painting, Mary Shelley is characterized by straight brown hair and extremely large eyes. This work is currently preserved and displayed on the third floor of the National Portrait Gallery in London.

Mary Shelley’s Face

The analysis of Mary Shelley’s physical features reveals a series of distinctive characteristics. Her eyes, large and slightly sunken, are precisely positioned and determinedly separated by a slightly long nose, which descends evenly from the brow arch. The mouth, with its modest dimensions and thin lips, imparts an apparent composure to the face.

In the context of human facial drawing techniques, a reinterpretation of this magnitude requires precision in capturing anatomical details. The eyes, with their sunken configuration, demand special attention to rendering shadows and depth to capture the piercing and suggestive look that characterized her gaze. The slightly long nose, while playing a key role in facial structure, must be rendered with precision and grace to preserve the balance of the entire face. The small-sized mouth and thin lips require meticulous work, as these details contribute to defining the faint smile that characterized Mary Shelley.

In the process of Digital photographic reinterpretation, the choice of colors and shades is equally crucial. These elements must accurately reflect Mary Shelley’s authentic physiognomy, thus revealing her appearance and personality in a complete and faithful manner. Color rendition not only captures the physical aspect but also communicates her unique essence, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in the world of this extraordinary woman.

Notable Biometric Symmetry in Mary Shelley’s Portrait

Throughout my reworking process, I made a fundamental artistic choice: I opted to preserve what was visible in the original portrait rather than attempting to add elements that “should be” according to the canons of reality. This choice led me to meticulously follow the distinctive facial features depicted by Rothwell to produce my work.

In fact, I even created a second version, which I decided to keep private and not make public. This is because my interpretation in that version exceeded the primary condition I had set for myself: to strictly adhere to the biometric data emerging from Rothwell’s oil painting.

This decision was made with the intention of showing respect both for the physical appearance of the author of “Frankenstein” and for the artist who portrayed her. At the same time, it allowed me to capture the essence of Mary Shelley in the most faithful manner possible. The choice not to publish the second version, despite its even more effective photorealistic rendering, can be seen as a tribute to the art and authenticity of Mary Shelley’s portrait. This work finds its meaning not only in the evident symmetry of biometric details but also in the preservation of the atmosphere and the intrinsic message of the original work.

A Natural Photo of Mary Shelley with Pronounced Symmetrical Elements

The fundamental distinction between the original painting and my reworked version lies mainly in the adherence to symmetries. These symmetries present in the painting particularly emerge in the structure of the nose and how it connects with the two brow arches.

In reality, in the field of human facial anatomy, it is widely known that asymmetry is instead an intrinsic characteristic of human physiognomy. Facial asymmetries, although subtle, constitute a significant element of beauty and complexity, especially in female faces. I concluded that the lack of significant asymmetries in the original portrait might be the result of an artistic convention of the time or a stylistic choice by Rothwell.

In my private version, which I chose not to make public, I instead opted not to maintain fidelity to this overly symmetrical (or lacking in asymmetries) representation, aiming to capture the natural diversity and beauty of Mary Shelley’s female face.

On the other hand, the decision to publish the version conforming to the oil painting not only stems from the desire to preserve the public image of the original portrait but also pays homage to the art and authenticity of Rothwell’s work, which captured the unique essence of Mary Shelley in his own stylistic perspective.

Published Version of the Photographic Reworking of Mary Shelley

You can download the 2023 Mary Shelley Portrait Photo restored and reworked.

The process of reworking ancient portraits, as in the case of Mary Shelley, begins with the creation of distinct drafts, following a meticulous order to capture every aspect of this face. This methodical approach allows for a detailed representation of the subject while maintaining the utmost fidelity to the original portrait.

• Eyes: Often referred to as the “windows to the soul,” the eyes receive particular attention in this initial phase. Precision in rendering the iris, eyelashes, and eyelid folds is crucial to capture the intensity of Mary Shelley’s gaze, revealing her creative spirit and emotional depth.
• Mouth: The mouth, with its faint smile, undergoes detailed study to capture the shape of the thin lips, adding a touch of grace to the author’s face.
• Nose: The slightly longer nose requires precise rendering in the draft. Attention to detail is necessary to capture the peculiarity of this distinctive feature.
• Chin: The moderately pronounced chin is equally essential for facial harmony and is treated with precision in the draft.
• Cheekbones: Although simple, the cheekbones add a distinctive feature to Mary Shelley’s face. The precise definition of the cheekbones, as well as the rendering of their rosy color, is crucial for capturing the author’s facial structure.
• Forehead: Mary Shelley’s broad forehead fully reflects her uniqueness and personality. Its size and distinctive shape were decisive in capturing the author’s appearance.
• Hairline: In analyzing the image, I considered the importance of the hairstyle and hairline in visual identity. These elements were carefully evaluated, preserving the authenticity of the original portrait.

My published version of the photographic reworking of Mary Shelley is dedicated to capturing with precision every aspect of the distinctive features of the author’s face, respecting her natural and authentic beauty.

In Rothwell’s original portrait, Mary Shelley is depicted with straight, brown hair, a fundamental characteristic that I have carefully preserved in the digital reworking process. Despite the inevitable changes made to adapt the image to modern standards, I ensured that this feature remained intact to maintain the recognizability of this Special woman.

An intriguing aspect of the reworking phase concerns the choice of a “modern” hairstyle that harmonizes with Mary Shelley’s image. In an attempt to bring her appearance into the current context, I analyzed the evolution of hair trends and styles in England and Switzerland over time.

The selection of a contemporary haircut, respectful of her historical aura, was an engaging creative challenge. This choice reflects not only current fashions but also the personality and contribution of the English author. With this reworking, my goal was not merely correction or restoration but the creation of a “historical” photorealistic image of Mary Shelley in a photograph that conveys the concept of a timeless artist, a woman capable of spanning eras and remaining relevant even today.

Gregorj Cocco