Prompt Library

Turn Your Photo Into a Renaissance Oil Painting

30 copy-paste prompts

Upload your photo to ChatGPT (GPT-4o), paste one of the 30 prompts below, and swap in the [YOUR PHOTO] placeholder. Your face stays recognizable while ChatGPT repaints you in classical old-master oil-portrait style.

In short: This page contains 30 copy-paste ready prompts, organized into 6 categories with a description and pro tip for each. The first 5 prompts are free instantly, no signup needed. Hand-curated and tested by the AI Academy team.

Louis Corneloup
By Louis Corneloup · Founder, Techpresso
Last updated ·Hand-curated & tested by the AI Academy team

Classical Oil Portraits

5 prompts

Classic Old Master Bust Portrait

1/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a classic old-master oil bust against deep umber, with warm chiaroscuro and varnished brushwork. Upload a clear face, then save the gallery bust you would hang.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a classic old-master oil portrait, keeping your face fully recognizable, a three-quarter bust pose against a deep umber background. Warm single-source studio lighting creates soft chiaroscuro shadows across the cheek, richly textured brushstrokes, dark varnished tone, subtle period clothing in muted burgundy, dignified calm expression, museum-quality oil painting finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use a photo shot slightly off-center so the three-quarter pose looks natural.

Velvet Doublet Portrait

2/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a 16th-century oil in a black velvet doublet and starched white ruff, with left-window light. Attach a composed portrait, then keep the olive-backdrop take if the likeness holds.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a 16th-century oil portrait, preserving your true likeness, dressed in a black velvet doublet with a starched white ruff collar. Soft window light from the left models the face gently, plain dark olive backdrop, visible canvas texture and fine crackle, composed thoughtful gaze, classical Renaissance painting style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the ruff collar sized smaller if it feels too large around your neck.

Ivory Silk Gown Portrait

3/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] as a Renaissance noblewoman in an ivory silk gown, gold embroidery, and pearls, lit by candle. Feed it a refined face, then print the forest-green backdrop if the features stay exact.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] as a Renaissance noblewoman in an oil portrait, keeping your exact facial features, an ivory silk gown with gold embroidery and a delicate pearl necklace. Warm candlelight from one side sculpts soft shadows, deep forest-green backdrop, fine oil-paint brushwork, serene refined expression, gallery-quality classical portrait, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Mention your hair color explicitly so it renders accurately under the warm light.

Scholar's Study Portrait

4/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] as a Renaissance scholar in a fur-trimmed academic robe, a hand on an open leather book. Start from a thoughtful photo, then hang the warm study if you still look like you.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance scholar's oil portrait, face kept true to the photo, a dark academic robe with a fur-trimmed collar, one hand resting on an open leather-bound book. Set in a warmly lit study with shelves of scrolls softly blurred behind, rich sepia tones, contemplative expression, old-master painting detail, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the book angled toward camera if you want the pose to feel more active.

Cardinal Red Portrait

5/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a cardinal-red oil portrait in crimson velvet with gold trim against near-black. Give it a solemn face, then keep the dramatic side-light take for a formal frame.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a rich cardinal-red oil portrait, keeping the face fully recognizable, deep crimson velvet robes with gold trim against a near-black background. Dramatic side lighting carves strong shadows across the features, visible canvas weave, glossy varnish sheen, solemn dignified gaze, classical old-master finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Request softer side lighting if the shadows feel too harsh across half the face.

Baroque Chiaroscuro Drama

5 prompts

Caravaggio-Style Chiaroscuro

6/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a Caravaggio-style baroque portrait, one shaft of light against pure black and earthy clothing. Use a direct-gaze photo, then save the piercing contrast if the face stays recognizable.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a Caravaggio-style baroque portrait, keeping your face clearly recognizable, illuminated by a single dramatic shaft of light against pure black shadow. Rich earthy tones in the clothing, intense visible brushwork, deep contrast between light and dark, penetrating direct gaze, powerful baroque oil-painting realism, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Face the camera fairly straight-on so the single light source reads clearly on both sides.

Candlelit Baroque Nocturne

7/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a candlelit baroque nocturne, with warm upward shadows and burgundy-gold clothing dissolving into dark. Paste a close face, then pick the mysterious glow for a night wall.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a candlelit baroque nocturne portrait, preserving your true likeness, warm flickering candlelight from below casting dramatic upward shadows across the face. Dark background dissolving into shadow, rich burgundy and gold clothing details, glowing skin highlights, mysterious contemplative mood, painterly baroque realism, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for gentler upward shadows if the under-lighting looks too dramatic for your taste.

Storm Cloak Baroque Portrait

8/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] as a baroque windswept portrait, a heavy cloak billowing against roiling storm-cloud shadow. Bring a strong face shot, then share the raking-light take if the expression still reads.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] as a baroque dramatic portrait, keeping your exact facial features, a heavy dark cloak billowing as if caught in wind, painted against roiling storm-cloud shadows. Strong raking light sculpts the face intensely, thick expressive brushstrokes, moody atmospheric tension, resolute powerful expression, dramatic baroque oil style, 9:16 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use 9:16 to keep the full billowing cloak visible in a tall phone crop.

Golden Hour Baroque Glow

9/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] as a golden-hour baroque portrait in amber-ochre robes against a shadowed interior. Drop in a warm-lit photo, then print the glowing-skin take as a gift.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a warm golden-hour baroque portrait, face kept true to the photo, rich amber and ochre robes catching low warm light against a shadowed interior. Deep contrast between the glowing skin and dark background, visible impasto texture, tender contemplative expression, luminous baroque painting quality, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for slightly cooler tones if the amber light feels too orange on your skin.

Midnight Study Baroque Scene

10/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a midnight baroque study at a candlelit desk with quill and parchment, the room edges in shadow. Send a seated portrait, then keep the introspective desk if the face is still yours.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a midnight baroque study scene, keeping the face fully recognizable, seated at a candlelit desk with quill and parchment, deep shadow enveloping the room's edges. Warm single candle flame lighting the face from below, rich dark reds and browns, focused introspective mood, classical baroque realism, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Request the candle moved slightly further away if the under-lighting feels too intense.

Renaissance Royalty & Nobility

5 prompts

Crowned Renaissance Monarch

11/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a crowned Renaissance monarch in a jeweled crown and ermine-trimmed purple velvet before brocade. Pick a formal face, then save the gold-leaf court look for a wall.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a crowned Renaissance monarch portrait, keeping your face clearly recognizable, an ornate jeweled crown and ermine-trimmed velvet robes in deep royal purple. Formal symmetrical pose against a heavy brocade curtain backdrop, soft directional light, rich gold leaf details, regal composed expression, classical court-painting style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Sit or stand facing forward for the photo so the symmetrical formal pose works well.

Pearl and Velvet Duchess

12/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance duchess in a lace collar, pearl-strung hair, and sapphire velvet against tapestry. Attach an elegant portrait, then hang the window-lit society take.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance duchess portrait, preserving your true likeness, an intricate lace collar, pearl-strung hair, and a deep sapphire velvet gown. Soft studio-like window light, dark tapestry background with subtle floral motifs, fine detailed brushwork, elegant poised expression, old-master society portrait finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for fewer pearls in the hair if you want a simpler, cleaner look.

Gilded Court Nobleman

13/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] as a gilded Renaissance nobleman in an embroidered doublet, gold chain of office, and plumed cap. Use a confident face, then keep the marble-hall gaze if the likeness holds.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] as a gilded Renaissance nobleman, keeping your exact facial features, an embroidered doublet with a gold chain of office and a plumed cap. Set against a marble palace hall softly blurred behind, warm ambient light, richly rendered fabric textures, confident authoritative gaze, classical portraiture detail, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Say 'no hat' if you would rather keep your natural hairstyle fully visible.

Medici-Style Family Heir

14/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] as a Medici-style heir in patterned brocade with a slim gold signet, in warm Florentine shutter light. Start from a youthful photo, then print the terracotta study for a family album.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a Medici-style Renaissance heir portrait, face kept true to the photo, a richly patterned brocade tunic and a slim gold signet ring visible on one hand. Warm Florentine light through a shuttered window, muted terracotta backdrop, fine period detail, thoughtful youthful expression, classical Italian oil-painting style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Include a hand in your original photo if you want the signet ring detail to look natural.

Royal Wedding Diadem Portrait

15/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a royal Renaissance diadem portrait in an ivory silver-thread gown against wine-red drapery. Give it a serene face, then save the bridal oil if the features stay true.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a royal Renaissance diadem portrait, keeping the face fully recognizable, a delicate jeweled diadem and an ivory silk gown embroidered with silver thread. Soft glowing light against a deep wine-red curtain, subtle gold filigree details, serene bridal expression, opulent classical oil finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the diadem smaller and simpler if you prefer a more understated crown.

Flemish & Dutch Golden Age

5 prompts

Dutch Golden Age Ruff Collar

16/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a Dutch Golden Age oil with a crisp white ruff and simple black doublet on warm brown. Upload a quiet portrait, then keep the glazed window-light take for a modest frame.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a Dutch Golden Age oil portrait, keeping your face clearly recognizable, a crisp white ruff collar and simple black doublet against a plain warm-brown backdrop. Soft diffused window light typical of the era's masters, subtle glaze layers, quiet dignified expression, meticulous Flemish painting detail, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the ruff collar starched flatter if it looks too bulky around the neck.

Flemish Merchant Portrait

17/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a Flemish merchant oil in a fur-trimmed dark coat and felt hat, a hand on a ledger. Attach a steady face, then pick the shuttered-interior look for a desk print.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a Flemish merchant's oil portrait, preserving your true likeness, a fur-trimmed dark coat and simple felt hat, one hand resting on a ledger. Warm interior light from a shuttered window, muted olive-brown palette, fine linen texture rendering, steady confident gaze, classical Northern Renaissance style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Say 'no hat' if you'd rather keep your own hairstyle as the focal point.

Pearl Earring Homage

18/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] as a Dutch Golden Age headscarf portrait in a blue-and-gold wrap with a single pearl earring. Feed it a calm face, then hang the black-backdrop homage if the eyes still glow.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] in the style of a Dutch Golden Age headscarf portrait, keeping your exact facial features, a soft blue-and-gold turban-style headwrap and a single pearl earring catching the light. Deep black background, gentle glowing skin tones, subtle glossy highlight in the eyes, tranquil timeless expression, luminous Flemish oil finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Turn your head slightly over one shoulder in the source photo for the classic pose.

Guild Hall Group Study

19/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] as a Dutch guild-hall oil in a starched lace collar and dark formal coat against wood paneling. Bring a civic portrait, then save the earthy dignity if you still look like you.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a Dutch guild-hall oil portrait, face kept true to the photo, a starched lace collar and dark formal coat, softly lit against a warm wood-paneled interior. Rich earthy tones, meticulous fabric detail, subtle glazed highlights, composed civic dignity in the expression, classical Golden Age realism, 16:9.

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Pro tip: Use 16:9 if you want extra room around the figure for the paneled interior.

Windmill Countryside Portrait

20/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a Flemish countryside oil in simple linen, with overcast light and a hazy windmill landscape. Drop in an outdoor face, then keep the muted rural take for a quiet wall.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a Flemish countryside oil portrait, keeping the face fully recognizable, simple woven linen clothing, softly lit by overcast daylight with a hazy windmill-dotted landscape behind. Muted greens and grays, fine atmospheric perspective, calm rural expression, classical Northern European painting style, 16:9.

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Pro tip: Ask for the windmills placed further in the background if you want them less prominent.

Mythological & Allegorical Scenes

5 prompts

Laurel Crown Muse

21/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a mythological muse oil with a laurel wreath and draped ivory fabric among marble columns. Use a serene portrait, then print the golden sfumato look as a keepsake.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a mythological muse portrait, keeping your face clearly recognizable, a laurel wreath crown and flowing draped ivory fabric in the classical style. Set against a soft marble-columned backdrop with warm golden light, subtle sfumato blending, serene inspired expression, classical allegorical oil-painting quality, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the draped fabric arranged higher on the shoulder for a more modest, classical look.

Celestial Allegory Portrait

22/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a celestial allegorical oil in star-blue drapery with a soft golden halo against a painted sky. Paste a tranquil face, then save the glazed-skin allegory for a bedroom wall.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a celestial allegorical oil portrait, preserving your true likeness, draped in flowing star-blue fabric with a soft halo of golden light behind the head. Painted sky with gentle clouds in the background, luminous glazed skin tones, tranquil transcendent expression, classical Renaissance allegory style, 1:1 square.

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Pro tip: Request a smaller halo if you want it to read as a subtle glow rather than a full ring.

Garden of Eden Study

23/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] in a Renaissance garden allegory, in draped linen and an olive wreath among lush foliage. Start from a contemplative photo, then hang the dappled-leaf take if the face stays exact.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] as a figure in a Renaissance garden allegory, keeping your exact facial features, simple draped linen and a wreath of olive leaves, standing among lush painted foliage. Warm dappled light through leaves, rich green and ochre palette, gentle contemplative expression, classical old-master detail, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the foliage softly blurred behind you so your face stays the sharpest element.

Fortune's Wheel Portrait

24/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] beside a carved stone wheel of fortune, in deep red robes and a gold sash under side light. Give it a resolute face, then keep the stone-arch allegory for a dramatic print.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance allegorical portrait beside a carved stone wheel of fortune, face kept true to the photo, deep red draped robes and a gold sash. Soft dramatic side light, dark stone-arch background, richly rendered drapery folds, resolute thoughtful expression, classical baroque allegory finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the wheel positioned smaller in the background if you want more focus on the face.

Cherub-Attended Portrait

25/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a classical oil with softly painted cherubs in the clouds and ivory-gold drapery. Send a graceful portrait, then choose the heavenly-light take for a museum-style frame.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a classical oil portrait attended by softly painted cherubs in the background clouds, keeping the face fully recognizable, elegant draped ivory and gold fabric. Warm heavenly light from above, delicate glazed brushwork, serene graceful expression, museum-quality Renaissance allegorical style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for the cherubs kept small and distant so they stay a background detail.

Renaissance Wedding & Family Portraits

5 prompts

Renaissance Wedding Portrait

26/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT turns [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance wedding oil in ivory-and-gold embroidered garments with tender joined hands. Upload a clear couple shot, then save the tapestry-backdrop take if both faces hold.

Transform [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance-style wedding oil portrait, keeping faces fully recognizable, richly embroidered wedding garments in ivory and gold with delicate lace details. Soft warm light against a deep tapestry backdrop, tender intertwined hands, classical formal composition, joyful dignified expression, old-master wedding-portrait finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use a photo where both faces are clearly lit so neither person falls into shadow.

Noble Family Group Portrait

27/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT converts [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance noble family oil in jewel-toned velvet, arranged in a classical pyramid. Attach a full-family photo, then print the palace-interior group once everyone is recognizable.

Turn [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance noble family oil portrait, keeping every face clearly recognizable, coordinated velvet and brocade garments in deep jewel tones. Arranged in a classical pyramidal composition against a warm palace interior, soft directional light, fine period detail, warm familial expressions, classical group-portrait style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use a group photo where every face is visible and unobstructed for the best likeness.

Mother and Child Madonna Style

28/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT reimagines [YOUR PHOTO] as a tender Renaissance mother-and-child oil in soft blues and ivory with gentle sfumato. Feed it a close pair photo, then keep the pastoral devotion look if both faces stay true.

Reimagine [YOUR PHOTO] as a tender Renaissance mother-and-child oil portrait, keeping both faces fully recognizable, soft draped fabrics in gentle blues and warm ivory. Gentle glowing light reminiscent of classical devotional paintings, muted pastoral background, delicate sfumato shading, loving serene expressions, classical old-master tenderness, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use a close, warmly lit photo so the soft sfumato shading has clean edges to work with.

Betrothal Double Portrait

29/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT restyles [YOUR PHOTO] as a Renaissance betrothal double portrait in patterned period dress with a shared ring gesture. Bring a facing couple shot, then hang the candlelit wood-panel take.

Restyle [YOUR PHOTO] into a Renaissance betrothal double oil portrait, faces kept true to the photo, formal facing poses in richly patterned period dress with a shared ring gesture. Warm candlelit interior, dark wood-paneled background, fine detailed brushwork, composed affectionate expressions, classical Northern Renaissance finish, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Use a photo where both hands are visible if you want the ring gesture to render accurately.

Golden Anniversary Portrait

30/30

✨ What it does

ChatGPT transforms [YOUR PHOTO] into a golden-toned Renaissance anniversary oil in matching gold-trimmed velvet against burgundy. Drop in a dignified pair photo, then gift the glazed couple portrait for a milestone.

Convert [YOUR PHOTO] into a golden-toned Renaissance anniversary oil portrait, keeping faces fully recognizable, elegant matching velvet attire trimmed in gold thread. Warm glowing light against a deep burgundy curtain backdrop, rich glazed textures, contented dignified expressions, classical old-master couple-portrait style, 4:5 portrait.

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Pro tip: Ask for matching outfit colors adjusted if you want them to coordinate with what you actually wore.

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Frequently Asked Questions

These prompts are written for ChatGPT's GPT-4o image generation, since it can edit an uploaded photo directly instead of only generating from text. Open a new ChatGPT chat, attach your photo, and paste one of the 30 prompts below.
Yes, every prompt is written to keep the face fully recognizable while changing the clothing, lighting, and setting around it. If a result drifts too far from your features, ask ChatGPT to regenerate while keeping the face closer to the original photo.
A clear, well-lit, front-facing or slight three-quarter photo with your face unobstructed gives the most accurate result. Avoid heavy filters, sunglasses, or photos where your face is partly cropped out of frame.
Yes. Ask ChatGPT for the image at the highest resolution it can produce, and consider requesting it again with 'high detail, print quality, canvas texture' added to the prompt before sending it to a printer.
Use 4:5 for a classic framed-portrait look, 1:1 for a square social post, and 16:9 for a wider composition with more background detail. Each prompt below already specifies one, but you can ask ChatGPT to switch it.