Be A Muse

become a work of art

Imagine your enigmatic smile immortalized by da Vinci. Imagine yourself emerging from Botticelli’s sea atop a scalloped shell. Imagine warm light filtering into the room where you dance with Degas’ ballerinas.

The Art

The Muse

Much more than a portrait, this is your chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with art history’s giants. You become the very inspiration that could have driven the genius of Michelangelo or the delicate touch of Botticelli. This process isn’t about inserting a face into a scene; it’s about re-imagining these iconic works as if you were their muse.

At Be A Muse, you to become part of the great masterpieces of art history. We integrate your image into iconic paintings, hand-tailoring each piece and transforming you from an observer to a participant in the artwork itself. We ensure every detail—from the lighting and shadows to the brushstrokes and color palette—is meticulously adjusted to harmonize with the original artwork’s style. Each piece is a tribute to the art and to you — the muse!

Browse our shoppable gallery

Package tiers

Our Pricing

All services provide a high-resolution digital copy of your print. Physical prints on canvas or matte paper are also available.
See the Giftshop for additional options and more details.

the process

The Process: Step ONE

Select Your Masterpiece

Find your artwork

Want some help finding your perfect piece? We can help with that!

Explore Our Gallery

Dive into our curated gallery of historical paintings.

⎸ To the gallery

Consult Our Curators

Unsure which painting to choose? Our art consultants are here to help you find the perfect match that reflects your personality and style.

⎸ Request Help

Submit your own

Already have something in mind? Want to find something on your own? That works too! Read on for more information.

submit your own

Finding your perfect artwork

When choosing a piece of art, ensure the masterpiece in question is in the public domain, or that you have the artist’s express permission to use the image. When searching for historical artworks, museums and public collections are a great place to begin your search.

Here are a few great collections to get you started:

Rijksmuseum’s Rijksstudio

Dive into thousands of high-resolution images of artworks from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. Many of these are in the public domain and available for download and creative use. You can even create an account and save the images!

⎸ Visit Rijksstudio

Google Arts & Culture

This platform offers an expansive collection of artworks from museums around the world. You can search for artworks by filter settings that include usage rights, allowing you to discover pieces that are in the public domain.

⎸ Visit Google Arts & Culture

Wikimedia Commons

A massive repository of images, including historical artworks that are in the public domain. Each image typically comes with detailed information about its copyright status.

⎸ Visit Wikimedia Commons

Library of Congress

This U.S. institution offers a vast array of historical photographs, documents, and artworks. Many of these items are in the public domain, particularly those created before 1924.

⎸ Visit Library of Congress

Public Domain (Pre-1929)

Generally, chosen masterworks must be in public domain. This usually means that the artwork in question was created before 1929. (Sorry, Magritte fans!) Visit the link below to learn more.

FAQ: public domain

The Process: Step TWO

the muse

references

guidelines

It’s time! Ready to be a muse?
Let’s create a masterpiece together!

When sending us your references, there are five main points to keep in mind:

Match the position of your head and shoulders to those in the painting.

Aim for soft, even lighting.

Frame yourself with some space around your head and shoulders.

Aim for minimal accessories and keep your hair out of your face.

Send a few photos* with slight angle changes.
*_{^{Maximum five images, please!}}

MORE TIPS FOR A MASTERPIECE

Golden Angles

Ensure your head and shoulders are oriented similarly to those in the painting. Check how the head and shoulders line up. What facial features are visible and how visible are they? How much of the ears are showing? Is the nose fully in view?

A Light Touch

Channel your inner Vermeer! Aim for soft, even lighting to let your true colors shine through. Not sure where to start? A shaded spot outdoors against a simple wall works wonders. Don’t fret over matching the artwork’s light; our artists have that covered!

Fine Details

Clear, high-resolution images work best, resulting in beautifully detailed artwork. If you’re using a cell phone camera, consider recruiting a friend rather than taking a selfie. Use the main camera on your phone (the one on the back) for the best quality. Make sure there’s a bit of space around your head and shoulders in each shot!

Mona Lisa, Smile!

We’ll immortalize the look you give us, so let your face tell a story you’d like to hear! If you want to mirror the original artwork’s mood, go for it; if not, feel free to add a twist of your own. Remember, we’ll transform your expression exactly as it is so choose your expression wisely.

Less is More

Hats off for this session! Tuck those tresses back! To reveal your face as it was meant to be seen, steer clear of accessories like big earrings or flashy necklaces that can detract from the star of the show: Your face! Love your glasses? Then we can’t wait to paint them! But be sure to send us snaps both with and without them — we want to be able to capture every detail of that twinkle in your eyes!

The Process: Step three

Good to Gogh

Once you have your reference photos and your masterpiece, you’re ready to submit! Visit the Gift Shop, pick your package, and share your images with us. We’ll respond to you once we’ve received your assets, and let you know if we need any additional references. Otherwise, we’ll get straight to work!

You can track the progress of your order, and we’ll reach out once we’ve finished for your approval before sending your finished piece out into the world. Once you’re satisfied, it’s off to the printers, and time to start planning your grand art debut as the final piece makes the way home — to you!

Still curious? Check out the Playground where you can try on some of our favorite pieces of art, or browse the Gallery to see some completed pieces from previous clients! Have more questions? Reach out or browse the FAQ!

Ready to Be a Muse? Visit to the Gift Shop to browse our packages!

our techniques

see how we do it!

Follow us on YouTube and Twitch to see how we create these custom works of art. Perhaps you’ll even be inspired to give it a try yourself!

Have questions?

Whether it be related to our services or our tutorials, we’re always happy to help.