Photographer Freddy Fabris has found a hilariously brilliant way to bridge the worlds of Renaissance art and blue-collar Americana.

Long inspired by the old masters, Fabris always wanted to pay tribute to their iconic works through photography.

But it wasn’t until he stepped into a humble auto mechanic shop in the Midwest that the idea truly clicked.

The result?

A visually striking and comically imaginative photo series featuring real-life auto mechanics reenacting some of the most famous paintings of the Renaissance era.

“Translating painting into photography was a challenge I looked forward to,” Fabris told HuffPost.

“I wanted to respect the look and feel of the originals, but needed to come up with a conceptual twist that would create a new layer to the original.”

With gritty tools, oil-stained overalls, and the dim yet dramatic lighting of a working garage, Fabris constructed a clever homage that manages to remain faithful to the classical compositions while adding a layer of playful absurdity.

So the rest of his work is definitely worth checking out too!

Here’s a closer look at four standout pieces from the series and the timeless works that inspired them:

The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci

In Fabris’ version of The Last Supper, a group of mechanics gathers around a long workbench instead of a dinner table, surrounded by spare parts and hand tools.

Their postures and expressions are instantly recognizable to fans of da Vinci’s masterpiece. From the central figure emulating Jesus to the apostles’ dynamic gestures, the photo replicates the drama and composition of the original while swapping wine and bread for spark plugs and socket wrenches.

The harsh overhead lighting mimics the high-contrast illumination found in Renaissance art, creating a scene that is both reverent and refreshingly humorous.

The Anatomy Lesson by Rembrandt

One of the most striking recreations in Fabris’ series is his take on The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. Here, the surgeon’s body is replaced by a worn car engine on a metal table, and the examining figures are curious mechanics huddled closely, peering into its internal workings.

The photo captures Rembrandt’s moody chiaroscuro lighting and solemn expressions, but with a mechanical twist that transforms the clinical examination into a lesson on pistons and camshafts.

The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo

Fabris brings a spark of fun to Michelangelo’s iconic The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel ceiling.

Set against a rough, industrial backdrop, the divine spark is traded for a greasy mechanic’s hand reaching out to another—gloved and holding a wrench.

While the original portrayed God giving life to Adam, Fabris’ version seems to suggest the sacred act of passing knowledge, or perhaps just the right tool, in a garage setting.

The dynamic poses and careful hand placement pay homage to Michelangelo’s design while offering a tongue-in-cheek twist.

A series of Rembrandt-inspired portraits

Rounding out the series is a collection of portraits influenced by Rembrandt’s signature style—dramatic lighting, rich textures, and soulful expressions.

Fabris captured individual mechanics posed stoically against dark backdrops, their faces lined with character, grease, and pride.

The photos evoke a quiet dignity reminiscent of Rembrandt’s studies of tradesmen and scholars, but with a modern blue-collar flair.

These portraits offer a sincere yet subtly comical nod to the timeless human spirit found in both art and honest labor.

Freddy Fabris’ work is more than just parody—it’s a clever fusion of past and present, art and industry.

By casting mechanics in the role of Renaissance figures, Fabris not only honors classical artistry but also elevates the tradesmen of today, reminding us that craftsmanship, no matter the medium, is worthy of admiration.

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