Nicki Minaj in W Magazine November 2011

Nicki Minaj has landed one of W magazine's annual art issue covers, being transformed into four famous courtesans — The Marquise de ­Montespan, Comtesse du Barry, Madame de Pompadour and ­Madame Rimsky-­Korsakov — by Francesco Vezzoli. The Italian artist is known for his playful interpretations of the beauty world — making Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams fight in a spoof fragrance commercial — and his latest work sees Minaj ditch her infamous pink and leopard print wigs in favour of long flowing locks and a pared-back makeup look. What do you think of the spread?

See the full shoot in the November issue of W magazine.