With irregular intervals photoshop site Worth1000 organizes their Counterfeit Art contest, challenging digital artists to “take any famous painting or artwork and alter it in such a way that it is obviously a forgery.” The 13th edition, in February 2012, drew 33 entries, two of which were Remastered Bouguereaus. The one shown above was the third prize winner, created by KingDiamond. His work was inspired by Bouguereau’s 1885 painting Femme au Coquillage (Woman with Seashell).

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first image to visit the gallery where you will find over twenty remastered versions of Bouguereau’s original painting. Click the second to view Too fake on Worth1000.

The second Remastered Bouguereau in this contest was Bouguereau Pedi by preemiememe, finishing in 16th place. The original and counterfeit versions are shown below.

Not all Remastered Bouguereaus are digital creations. Case in point is this vase made by master engraver Tomáš Lesser from the Czech Republic. Using Bouguereau’s 1893 painting Jeunesse (Youth) for inspiration, Lesser hand-engraved the young woman and two angels on a mouth blown vase from unleaded ecological crystal glass. Only ten copies were made, and are all signed by the engraver.

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find several more contemporary versions of Bouguereau’s painting. Click the second and third to view the hand-engraved vase on the product page of Studio Moser.

Twice a year, photoshop site Worth1000 organizes a Modern Renaissance contest, challenging digital artists to “put any modern celebrity, actor or popular culture figure as a substitute for the model of a painting or other form of artwork”. The January 2012 edition drew no less than seventy contest entries, five of which were Remastered Bouguereaus. Unfortunately, none of them became prize winners.

Shown above is Rose McGowen by pcysmith. The American actress and singer takes the place of the bather in Bouguereau’s La Vague (The Wave, 1896). Below are the four other adaptations of Bouguereau paintings in this contest. The first two depict actress Natalie Portman, the other two Scarlett Johansson and Bones actress Emily Deschanel, respectively. Click each to visit the galleries where you will find dozens more contemporary versions of the original artworks.

In 1884, William Bouguereau painted his dramatic work Biblis, featuring the mythological figure who was deeply in love with her twin brother Caunus, but could not make him love her. When she found out that Caunus had fled, she tore her clothes in sorrow and was driven into madness. She followed him through much of Greece and Asia Minor until she finally died, worn out by her grief and the long journey. As she had been constantly crying, she was changed into a spring.

Spanish digital artist Mithos-2000 (real name Francisco) recreated Bouguereau’s painting using authentic photographic images, and published it on DeviantArt. In this beautifully remastered version, Biblis has become a gorgeous blonde lady.

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find nearly thirty contemporary versions of Bouguereau’s original. Click the second to view the remastered version on DeviantArt.

Antonio Oliva was born in Rende (CS) Italy on 22 July 1969 and developed his art outside of academic circles. This remastered version of Bouguereau’s La Vierge aux Anges (The Virgin with Angels, 1881) was made with mixed techniques on canvas. Click the image to view the work on ioarte.org. Click below to visit the gallery where you can admire sixteen more contemporary variations of Bouguereau’s original painting.

Ichiruki is a word formed from the first four letters of the names of the characters of Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki from the manga Bleach. It is one of the more popular romantic pairings of this anime. Spanish illustrator/graphic design artist peca06 always wanted to make a rendition of Bouguereau’s famous painting Cupid and Psyche as Children, also known as The First Kiss, for Ichiruki. The adorable result is shown here.

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find dozens more contemporary variations on Bouguereau’s painting. Click the second to view Chibi Ichiruki kiss on DeviantArt.

American Art student Crystal Cowling, currently working as stage manager, has sincere aspirations in working in the entertainment industry including theater, film, television, and whatever else may come her way. As part of her presentation on Google+ she has a photo gallery in which she re-enacts famous classical paintings, including the one shown above. This double-portrait features Bouguereau’s Tête de jeune fille (Head of a young girl, 1898) next to a portrait created by photographer and Photoshop artist Nadya Obregon.

Click the image above to view Crystal’s photo set, click here to view the gallery where you will find nearly twenty contemporary versions of Bouguereau’s original painting.

There are many remastered versions of Bouguereau’s quintessential 1879 painting Naissance de Venus (Birth of Venus). The one shown here depicts the goddess of love as Mother Christmas. It was created by digital artist saufnase for a Holiday Mod Ren contest on Worth1000 in 2005, where it was voted the best of 55 entries.

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find nearly one hundred (!) contemporary variations. Click the second to view Holiday Venus on Worth1000.

In December 2004, photoshop site Worth1000 organized their second Holiday Mod Ren contest, subtitled Santa meets Bouguereau. Digital artists DerAlt took the title very literally and created this image, entitled Santa, based on Bouguereau’s 1873 painting Nymphes et Satyre (Nymphs and Satyr), scooping the first prize.

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find no less than forty contemporary variations. Click the second to view Santa on Worth1000.

This image was the second-prize winner in a Christmas Art contest on FreakingNews, in 2007. It was created by digital artist AZRainMan, and based on Bouguereau’s 1881 painting La Vierge aux Anges (The Virgin with Angels).

Below you can compare the two versions. Click the first to visit the gallery where you will find over a dozen more contemporary variations. Click the second to view Christmas Lullaby on FreakingNews.