A proud Scot recreated the Mona Lisa using thousands of Lego bricks after seeing the famed masterpiece more than 25 years ago.
Glasgow man PJ Barnard spent 18 months toiling over his recreation of the world famous Da Vinci painting during lockdown after seeing it hung at the Louve in Paris in 1997.
And now, PJ, who lives in the Springburn area of the city, said he plans to auction off the piece to raise cash for a cancer charity after losing his mum Jane to the disease in September.
The 47-year-old, who is also an actor, told the Daily Record of his obsession over getting the Mona Lisa in Lego right - and how he started over multiple times.
The finished piece now contains more than 5,000 bricks.
He said: "I just thought it would be a great idea to pass the time during the lockdown and while everyone was locked in.
"The whole thing took 18 months and I kept starting over because I hadn't got it exactly right.
"One time her nose came out above her eyebrow and another time it was lopping off to the left hand side.
"I was working totally from memory and I just did it over and over until it was perfect.
"I decided to do it in black and white as getting all the exact right bricks would have been a nightmare.
"It still cost a lot to do though- perhaps £60 to £70.
"It is the exact same size as the Mona Lisa in the Louve (30 inches by 21 inches) and I'm so proud of it.
"I've done other Lego projects - like the Titanic - but nothing to this scale before.
"I just hope everyone likes it as much as I do."
Italian master Leonardo Da Vinci painted the piece, perhaps the most famous painting in the world, based on noble woman Lisa Gherardini in what art historians believe to be between 1503 and 1506.
Her enigmatic smile has captivated millions ever since and it was acquired by King Francis I of France and is now the property of the French Republic, and has been on permanent display at the Louvre in Paris since 1797.
PJ said he was one of those who had been entranced since he saw it all those years ago.
He said: "Lego had really been a hobby for me but it's become something more and has really helped me.
"When I started this I knew it would be something special.
"Sadly I lost my mum suddenly to cancer in September so I think I will try and auction it off to raise some funds.
"It will absolutely break my heart having to part with it but it will definitely be for a good cause."
PJ said he is still deciding on exactly which cancer charity he will make the kind donation to.
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