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What is a face, really? Its own photo? Its make-up? Or is it a face as painted by such or such painter? That which is in front? Inside? Behind? And the rest? Doesn't everyone look at himself in his own particular way? Deformations simply do not exist. —Pablo Picasso

Over the centuries, many famous artists have chosen the multifaceted beauty of women as their subject -- and their muse. The video montage below is an innovative celebration of the faces of some of art history's most famous leading ladies, each one carrying her own unique beauty.

In the video, you may have recognized some familiar images. For instance, there was Venus, Goddess of Beauty and Love, as interpreted by Sandro Botticelli in The Birth of Venus.

This famous work of art portrays the long-limbed goddess emerging from the sea on a shell. She is blown shoreward by two Zephyrs, symbolizing spiritual passions, and given a flowered cloak by Horae, Goddess of the Seasons. The original painting is currently in Florence, in the Uffizi Gallery.

You probably also recognized the eternally enigmatic Mona Lisa.

Widely considered to be Leonardo da Vinci’s magnum opus, or greatest work, the Mona Lisa is one of the most renowned paintings in history. Over the years, it has been scrutinized, studied, written about and parodied more than perhaps any other work of art in the world. Today, it hangs in the Musée du Louvre in Paris.

The charming redhead below was also one of the many female faces in the video montage.

Who was this nameless Venetian beauty, rendered immortal by Albrecht Durer’s meticulous brushstrokes? Her comportment and jewelry suggest that she comes from a family of means, yet her dress is not overly ornate. Whether an aristocrat or a commoner, her beauty certainly defies any social status.

Another mystery woman, this time by Henri Matisse:

As famous for his expressive line drawings as for his paintings and sculptures, Matisse was a master of evoking form with few lines. In this charming portrait, the artist likens his subject to a beautiful, blooming flower.

Without question, women have inspired countless works of art throughout the ages -- and certainly more than this short blog entry can cover. Do you have a favorite muse/portrait? Feel free to post a comment and some photos.