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They are some of the world’s best-known paintings, hanging in pride of place in galleries across the globe.

But art critics will be looking on in horror after an American artist gave classic works a comic update.

Rodney Pike, from Louisiana, placed Durham-born Rowan Atkinson’s comedy characters onto more than 30 works by artists like Rembrandt, Gilbert Stuart and Da Vinci.

Atkinson, who was born in Consett, County Durham, and his famously odd facial expressions have been added to works such as Mrs Richard Yates, painted by Gilbert Stuart in 1954, and the Mona Lisa.

The seamless retouches have ignited social media as Mr Bean and Rowan Atkinson’s other comic creation, Blackadder, have given the paintings a whole new look.

But Pike, whose work often centres around caricatures of famous faces from Hollywood and American politics, said he had only started the collection for relaxation.

He said: “These images have always been popular and I love doing them because it’s good therapy after a stressful job.

“The concept isn’t much different from Atkinson’s. They’re simply absurd. I’ve always enjoyed doing spoof type images and Atkinson is perfect with that wide range of facial expressions.

“I think the blending of a great Master’s work and its seriousness with an absurd figure like the Mr. Bean character make the perfect match.”

But not everyone is pleased.

Dr Stephen Moonie, lecturer in Art History at Newcastle University, said he felt “conflicted” about the images - despite seeing the funny side.

He said: “I’m a bit conflicted. I see the funny side of it but there’s also the flip side. As an art historian there’s a worry about reducing and trivialising the paintings.”

But he added that Pike’s work could make the paintings more “democratic”.

Pike wrote in a blog post: “I have no idea where it will end or if it will ever end. As long as people keep reacting to him as they have, I will continue use that unforgettable face to terrorize the art community.”