Photoshop and image filters are modern methods of manipulating photographs to improve one's appearance. But even before photography, image manipulation was a tool for those who could afford to have their portraits painted. Artists knew that if their work was not acceptable, they might not receive their commission. But that could backfire, too. When Henry VIII met his bride-to-be Anne of Cleves, he was very upset that she did not look as good as her portrait had led him to believe. The example above shows two different portraits of a monarch we've recently read about.
Take the Holy Roman Emperor, Charles V of the Habsburg Dynasty, a powerful lineage of intermarrying monarchs, many of whom shared a distinctive family feature, known amongst art historians as “The Habsburg Jaw”. Despite appearances, the two side by side portraits above are indeed of the same monarch, Charles V, painted just 17 years apart. It would appear that as the monarch matured, he became more familiar with the artful tricks of portraiture, which he could use to draw the attention away from his chin (and redirect it towards his nether regions).
Powerful people understood the importance of portraits, but their approaches varied. Oliver Cromwell wanted his portrait to be realistic, warts and all, while Napoleon didn't care if paintings looked like him at all as long as they conveyed his message. Read about painted portraits that didn't quite tell the truth at Messy Nessy Chic.