An Artist’s Intriguing Photo Parodies of Classic Paintings

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Maisie Broadhead might have graduated from the Royal College of Art with a masters in jewelry back in 2009, but today the London-born artist spends her time producing incredibly detailed photographic parodies of classic paintings by old Masters like Vermeer and Velasquez. For her recent Taking the Chair series, a collaboration with her mother Caroline, Broadhead reinterprets seven fine art masterpieces — each, a work that prominently features a chair. Elements from the original paintings are replaced with objects of personal significance; family members stand-in as models. The painterly quality of the resulting images comes courtesy of Photoshop. Click through to check out the series, as well as a fascinating timelapse video of Maisie in action, recreating a 19th century shot by Scottish photography duo Hill & Adamson as part of an upcoming exhibition at the National Gallery.

Maisie Broadhead, Head to Head, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 69.9 x 90.8 cm

William Hogarth, Marriage à-la-mode: 2. The Tête à Tête. National Gallery, London

Maisie Broadhead, Standing at a Machine, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 51.7 x 45.2 cm

Jan Vermeer, Lady Standing at a Virginal, c. 1670-1673. National Gallery, London

Maisie Broadhead, Wine Tasting, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 65 x 77 cm

Jan Vermeer, The Glass of Wine, c. 1658-1660 . Staatliche Museen Preußischer Kulturbesitz

Maisie Broadhead, Prince Caspar, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 128.5 x 99.5 cm

Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez, Infante Philip Prosper, 1659. Kunsthistorisches Museum

Maisie Broadhead, Jack with a Newspaper, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 115.6 x 81.3 cm

René Magritte, Man with a Newspaper, 1928. Tate Gallery

Maisie Broadhead, Sitting at a Machine, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 51.5 x 45.5 cm

Jan Vermeer, Young Woman Seated at a Virginal, c.1673-75. National Gallery, London

Maisie Broadhead, Death of a Project, 2011. Digital C-Type print. 69.9 x 90.8 cm

William Hogarth, Marriage à-la-mode: 6. The Lady’s Death. National Gallery, London

OdeToHillAndAdamson_Master_300512.mov from Whitehouse Content on Vimeo.