Each model chose who they wanted to be in their portrait.

21st-century Damali Dakoye as Queen Candace of Meroë, warrier queen of Nubia (c. 345 BC–332 BC)

Damali Dakoye, dental hygienist, as Queen Candace of Meroë, warrier queen of Nubia (c. 345 BC–332 BC), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

21st-century Gabriela Nenciu as Ana Hurtado de Mendoza (1540–1592

Gabriela Nenciu, French professor, as Ana Hurtado de Mendoza (1540–1592), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

21st-century Adrián Valladares as Fernando II de Aragón (1452–1516)

Adrián Valladares, custodian, as Fernando II de Aragón (1452–1516), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

21st-century Andrea Cáceres as Flora (c. 1589) painted by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593)

Andrea Cáceres, union organizer, as Flora (c. 1589) painted by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1526–1593), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

21st-century Scott Rockwell Keightley as François Rabelais (1494–1553)

Scott Rockwell Keightley, sculptor, as François Rabelais (1494–1553), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

Portrait of 21st-century Guillermo Caballero Ferreira as Edward VI (1537–1553)

Guillermo Caballero Ferreira, student, as Edward VI (1537–1553), oil on panel, 14 in x 11 in, 41 cm x 31 cm

Emily Daggett Smith, violinist, as Portrait of a lady with a unicorn (1505–1506), original painted by Raphael (1483–1553), possibly of Giulia Farnese, oil on framed panel, 24 in x 18 in, 61 cm x 51 cm