Nicki Minaj Like You've Never Seen Her Before!

Nicki Minaj is known for her wacky wigs and over-the-top outfits.

In the November issue of W, the hip-hop ingenue is transformed by Franceso Vezzoli into four 18th-Century courtesan's. The result is well ... bizarre yet beautiful. Check out the photos below:

"I wanted to play with the public image of a female hip-hop star. During my entire career, I have always been fascinated by powerful women in history," Vezzoli tells W. "I thought of comparing her to some of the most famous courtesans in history: the Marquise de Montespan, Comtesse du Barry, Madame de Pompadour, and Madame Rimsky-Korsakov."

For more of Minaj's photos and interview, click here or pick up W's sixth annual Art issue, on newsstands now.