Photographer Sends Modern Superheroes Back to the Renaissance

We've seen superheroes and pop culture figures reinterpreted in fan art before, but rarely have we seen it with this kind of attention to detail.

French photographer Sacha Goldberger wanted to say something about the conflict between mankind's "inexhaustible desire for mythology" and the melancholic fatigue the fictional stars' of said mythology would feel at "a destiny of endless immortality, forever trapped in their character."

That's what Goldberger says on his website, anyway. We think he just wanted an excuse to dress people up in Renaissane-era superhero costumes, and frankly, that's good enough for us.

Goldberger applied the techniques of contemporary Flemish painters to his photos, which gave his images the kind of dramatic lighting and compositions indicative of Renaissance art. He put his characters in the distinctive attire of the time, including velvet, embroidery, tights, and big ruffles around their necks.

He also managed to hire models for his photos that look remarkably like the actors who made these characters famous. So Goldberger's Hulk looks like Lou Ferrigno, his Superman is an uncanny Christopher Reeve, his Catwoman could pass as Anne Hathaway, his Green Lantern bares a striking resemblance to Ryan Reynolds, his Wolverine is an amazing Hugh Jackman doppelganger, and his Princess Leia makes a perfect young Carrie Fisher.

Actually, these actors are so spot-on, we can't help wondering if in some cases a bit of digital trickery might be at work, or at the very least some fancy prosthetic makeup. But all of the outfits are 100% real and authentic.

See the entire collection, titled "Super Fleming," at Goldberger's website.