Culture

Superheroes, 'Star Wars' stars go back to the 17th century (pictures)

French photographer Sacha Goldberger's Super Flemish series contains incredible portraits of Marvel, DC and "Star Wars" characters looking like they're in 17th century Europe.

Anthony Domanico

CNET freelancer Anthony Domanico is passionate about all kinds of gadgets and apps. When not making words for the Internet, he can be found watching Star Wars or "Doctor Who" for like the zillionth time. His other car is a Tardis.

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Anthony Domanico

Nov. 19, 2014 2:08 p.m. PT

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Let thy Wookie win

In his series Super Flemish, French photographer Sacha Goldberger presents portraits of superheroes and sci-fi characters decked out in elaborate 17th century-era garb. Inspired by painters of the Flemish school, the artist uses 17th-century techniques of light and shadow to illustrate both nobility and fragility in his subjects.

Before heading off to the portrait studio, Chewbacca spent hours getting his hair just right. Unfortunately for Chewie, it was humid and windy out, and everything just kind of frizzed up on him.

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As always, The Joker is the perfect villain

The Joker is just as menacing in the 17th century as he is in the 20th and 21st centuries. He was barely able to stop causing chaos in Gotham long enough to slouch through this entire sitting. But we have to ask: why so serious, Mr. Joker?

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Batman and Robin stop by

Photographer Sacha Goldberger

Fresh from fighting crime on the streets of Gotham, Batman and Robin stop by the studio for a rare joint portrait. Their costumes are as elaborate and masterful as their crime-fighting skills. Alfred was nowhere to be found.

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Next up is the beautiful, and fully dressed, Wonder Woman

In the modern era, Wonder Woman is critiqued for barely wearing enough clothes. In the 17th century, however, she more closely conformed to the fashion of the times, as pictured here.

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Retro Stormtrooper on the hunt for droids

French photographer Sacha Goldberger's portraits of superheroes and sci-fi characters decked in elaborate Renaissance-era garb are just perfect.

In this piece, an Imperial Stormtrooper stops to have his portrait taken after unsuccessfully searching for the droids he was looking for.

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Look out! Here comes Spider-Man

French photographer Sacha Goldberger has always been fascinated with superheroes.

Of all of them, Spider-Man has, arguably, one of the most elaborate costumes of all. Just look at his elaborate dress complete with mask, gloves and ruffled neckpiece.

While he's certainly not quite as nimble as he usually is when fighting crime, Spider-Man will definitely look great doing it.

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Beautiful Princess Leia graces us with her presence

Armed with her trusty blaster, Princess Leia looks past the artist and toward the door, ready to run, or shoot, the second danger hits. The portrait eloquently captures Leia's beauty and ferocity.

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It's a bird, it's a plane, it's old-timey Superman!

And what collection would be complete without a portrait of Superman? The Kryptonian stood stoically for his portrait, and eloquently wore his hip new costume for all the world to see.

Just, um, don't call him Clark. He hates it when you out his alter ego.