Artist Reimagines Disney Characters As Famous Classical Paintings (22 Pics)

Some people think that learning about art history is only for artists, art critics, and those working in the art sphere. However, one artist thinks that it’s important for everyone to learn about it. To prove that, Spanish graphic designer and illustrator Carlos Gromo created a series of Disney characters inspired by famous paintings to help people to memorize these classics better.

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#1 Beauty And The Beast

Based on: Gustav Klimt "The Kiss" (1907)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#2 101 Dalmatians

Based on: Grant Wood "American Gothic" (1930)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

The artist, who is also known as carlosgromodraw to his 31k Instagram followers, started this project in 2019 when he finished his Fine Arts studies. He realized that many people don’t know much about art history or famous paintings. So he started this ongoing project with an aim to educate people in an entertaining way. The good news is that the project became a huge success and hopefully, people have learned something about classical art.

#3 Hercules

Based on: John Simmons "A Midsummer Night's Dream" (1870)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#4 Beauty And The Beast

Based on: John William Waterhouse "The Soul of the Rose" (1908)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

His series features such animated movie classics as 101 Dalmatians, Beauty and the Beast, Hercules, and Sleeping Beauty. The characters from these movies are based on the style and color palette of each painting. For instance, Belle and Beast are depicted as the famous painting “The Kiss” by Gustav Klimt. Just like in the painting, they look like a couple embracing each other in beautifully decorated robes. Meanwhile, Roger and Anita Radcliffe from 101 Dalmatians are shown as a farmer and his daughter in the famous 1930 painting “American Gothic” by Grant Wood.

#5 Beauty And The Beast

Based on: Lawrence Alma Tadema "Ask me no more" (1906)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#6 Cinderella

Based on: Auguste Toulmouche "Vanity" (1870)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

"This project started because when I finished my Fine Arts career at university, as an artist, I realized that many people didn't know many of the art paintings and I thought that I could present them in a more original way. I have always liked to draw Disney, so I thought of the idea of starting this project by drawing those characters from the movies in those pictures from art history. In this way, I managed to give visibility to many works of art and artists from different periods,” says the artist to Bored Panda.

#7 Beauty And The Beast

Based on: Pierre Auguste Cot "Ophelia" (1870)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#8 Thumbelina

Based on: Pierre Auguste Cot "Spring" (1873)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#9 Peter Pan

Based on: Pierre Auguste Cot "The Storm" (1880)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#10 Sleeping Beauty

Based on: Edmund Blair Leighton "The Accolade" (1901)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#11 Tarzan

Based on: John William Waterhouse "The Sorceress" (1911)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#12 The Princess And The Frog

Based on: Lawrence Alma Tadema "The Favourite Poet" (1888)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#13 Snow White

Based on: Henry Meynell Rheam "The Fairy Wood" (1903)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#14 Snow White

Based on: William Adolphe Bouguereau "At the Edge of the Brook" (1875)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#15 The Little Mermaid

Based on: John William Waterhouse "The Siren" (1900)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#16 Cinderella

Based on: William Adolphe Bouguereau "Rest in Harvest" (1865)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#17 The Little Mermaid

Based on: Michael and Inessa Garmash "Precious Moments"

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#18 Cinderella

Based on: Fausto Carrying "Young Girl Carrying a Pumpkin" (1889)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#19 Sleeping Beauty

Based on: Walter Crane "Hermes and Venus Gazing into a Mirror" (1885)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#20 Peter Pan

Based on: Henrietta Rae "Hylas and the Water Nymphs" (1910)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#21 The Little Mermaid

Based on: John William Waterhouse "Hylas and the Nymphs" (1896)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw

#22 Disney Family

Based on: William Waterhouse "A tale from Decameron" (1916)

Image credits: CarlosGRomoDraw