In the December 7 issue of The New Yorker, there's a feature of portraits taken of heads of state - by staff photographer Platon.

The photos are pretty spectacular. Although it's funny, how just a little bit of knowledge of the person, can change the way we look at the portrait at first glance. If you're able to take that lens away and see the photo for what it is, humanity and even hints of warmth, personality and struggle come through.