Novi Sad, Serbia-based photographer Edd Carlile’s recently shot series, ‘Faces of the Past,’ is a humanized look into history. Each photograph depicts some figure from a certain period of time. These figures may be well-known or obscure, but they are all portrayed poignantly and compellingly.
Amongst Carilile’s portraits is a dignified Roman praetorian, the ill-fated Anne Boleyn and the intrepid explorer Ferdinand Magellan. The series covers eras as remote as the height of the Roman Empire to as recent as the 1940s.
Still, the most inventive aspect to the photographs is that they are photographs; that is, a living person is used to portray the various historical characters the series focuses around. This gives the series a viscerally human feeling that is hard to conjure from textbooks and even museum exhibits.
The models seem to be aware of the people they substitute for. Their expressions are appropriate to the rank, profession and circumstances of the people they portray.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Humanized History
- Using living models to create historical portraits adds a visceral and engaging element to education and storytelling.
- Visual Storytelling
- The power of portraying historical figures through visual storytelling can bring a new level of emotional engagement to audiences.
- Personalized Art
- Individuals can commission personalized portraits that humanize and bring historical figures to life.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Education
- Incorporating humanized historical portraits and visual storytelling in educational materials and platforms can increase engagement and retention.
- Fine Art
- The personalized, humanizing element of historical portraiture can be a unique selling point for fine art commissions and exhibitions.
- Tourism
- Creating interactive exhibits and attractions featuring humanized historical portraits can bring a new level of tourism engagement and interest.
