Historian Colorizes Old Photos And They Might Change The Way You See History

With today’s various editing tools, we can take any photo and change its features. From color, black and white, to surreal photoshop designs the options are virtually endless. When it comes to classic images of the past, historic figures have been captured through a black and white lens serving almost as a time capsule of a distant era. In a recent creative journey, Mads Madsen, a 25-year-old Danish student with a Master’s degree in ancient history, has colorized some well-known figures throughout history.

Much of his inspiration came from seeing this work done on a Reddit thread. “They were colorized by hand. This discovery led me to a more in-depth search, and had learned that it was actually done by an old lady,” Madsen shared during an interview. “She had a website dedicated to hand-coloring photographs of all periods with oil. It just absolutely blew me away.”

These edits breathe a new life, not just in the subjects photographed, but also the way in which we have always identified with historic memories. While Madsen’s deep passion for history is ever-present, his artistic touch inspires new perspectives.

Audrey Hepburn

Audrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian who was best known for her roles in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

Desmond Doss

Desmond Doss led a memorable career serving as a combat medic during World War II. He received the Bronze Star Award for his work Guam and the Philippines.

Mark Twain

Mark Twain aka “father of American literature” according to fellow writer, William Faulkner is known for famous works including The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla was an innovative man who may have been ahead of his time. He is well-known and respected for his contributions to modern electricity and technology.

Amelia Earhart

She was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean opening doors for others to follow in her steps. Amelia Earhart was also an author who wrote best-selling books about her aviation experiences.

Einstein Laughing During a Dinner Party

Einstein was a theoretical physicist who shared the theory of relativity influencing the world of science and philosophy.

Eric Arthur Blair aka George Orwell

Famous for his novels 1984 and Animal Farm, George Orwell wrote books led by his passion for democratic socialism.

Two American Soldiers Showing Off Their “Happy Easter” Shells Before Firing Them Off

Buzz Aldrin

Buzz Aldrin is a legendary engineer and former astronaut who took the first steps on the moon with mission commander, Neil Armstrong.

Helen Keller

Author and activist, Helen Keller was the first deaf-blind person to earn a college degree.

Charlie Chaplin

Considerably one of the most iconic figures in film, Charlie Chapin was an English actor and filmmaker. His iconic fame stemmed from his silent films and performance in The Tramp.

Abraham Lincoln

An American political figure who served as the 16th president, Abraham Lincoln played a major role in leading the country through moral crises.

James Dean

Known for his estranged-teenage appeal, James Dean forever remains an icon. He is well known for his role in Rebel Without A Cause.

Jim Henson

Jim Henson was an American puppeteer who is known for his creation of The Muppets. He is also popularly known for his work creating puppets for Sesame Street and directing The Dark Crystal.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass is a timeless figure who escaped slavery in Maryland. He went on to write best-selling novels touching on enslavement, equality, and change.

Marilyn Monroe

American actress, Marilyn Monroe was well-known for her iconic “blonde bombshell” roles. Her sex appeal was a major catalyst in changing attitudes around sexuality and expression.

Theodore Roosevelt

American politician, naturalist, and conservationist Teddy Roosevelt serves as the 26th president.

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