9 Awesome Portraits Of Rappers As 17th Century Aristocrats

The egos. The larger than life personalities and over-the-top, signature styles. Of course it makes sense to paint Tupac, Biggie, Nas, et al as 17th century aristocrats. Or at least it does to British artist Amar Stewart. Lacking any sort of professional training, Stewart manages to convene timeless artistic masters–Dutch painters and contemporary rappers–in a project that is as refreshingly original as it is technically well done.

Notorious B.I.G. as King Henry VIII by Hans Holbein the Younger

Mary J. Blige as “Portrait of a Woman” by Frans Hals

Tupac as “Portrait of a Man Holding a Skull” by Frans Hals

Rick Ross as “Portrait of a Man” by Frans Hals

Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes as “Napoleon Crossing the Alps” by Jacques-Louis David

Nas as “Portrait of a Man, Half-Length, in a Black Coat” by Frans Hals

Jay Z with as “Young Man Holding a Skull” by Frans Hals

Action Bronson as “The Laughing Cavalier” by Frans Hals

Eminem as “Portrait of a Man with Hat” by Frans Hals