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Classical art pieces are known for their timelessness and enduring value. Such artworks like The Creation of Adam by Michelangelo or The Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli might always be remembered, appreciated and spoken about for centuries or even millennia to come. However, some artists from the past are not always recognizable by people of today. That’s where memes come to help! Through these elements of modern culture, classical artworks can be given a contemporary and fun twist that attracts new audiences.

If you’re a long-time reader of Bored Panda, you might’ve noticed that we love classical art memes. Well, just memes in general. Their relatability, perfectly captured moods and a sense of absurdity are what keep us coming back for more!

For today, we’ve gathered the best classical art memes, as shared in this Facebook group called “Classic Art Memes Moderated”. From sad faces to weird human-supernatural creature interactions, scroll down to rediscover the joy of art! If you’re a meme lover just like we are, don’t hesitate to check out similar posts with even more of these goodies here and here.

#1

Funny-Classic-Art-Memes-Moderated

Cindi van Cleave Report

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Alias-the-shade
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well maybe if your testicles were on your chest near your face we would have a lot more emphasis on them( note that this is comedic satire please do not send me to downvote hell I’ve been there once before it was not fun)

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#3

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Sergios Andronikidis Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I was like why did they have to do him like that for all eternity? But you know what? I want my gold tomb to be just as awkward and relatable, bringing laughs for 3000± years to come!

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To learn more about memes and their influence on our communication, we reached out to Dr. Idil Galip, a Lecturer in New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam. Her research focuses on the production of internet memes and the people who make them. She also runs the Meme Studies Research Network and enjoys writing and making memes herself! “Most of my memes are gripes about what I think is wrong with the world and myself, it's free therapy.” Scroll down for the whole interview!

#5

Funny-Classic-Art-Memes-Moderated

Rebecca Pierce Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't mind me saving this to print, frame and hang above the kitchen sink 😅

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Memes have become a common sight in today's online culture. From humorous one-liners to relatable situations, it's hard to scroll through social media without coming across at least one of these cultural phenomenons. But what is it about memes that makes them so well-liked? According to Idil, internet memes are very popular mostly because they are cheap and easy to make and distribute. “You can also put together a meme in a relatively short amount of time. Moreover, the ugliness, or even incompletion, of a quickly made meme is often celebrated for its humor and irreverence.”

#8

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be funny if all the absolute horrific sh*t didn't happen in the US this past week 😩🙄

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#9

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Robert Kelleher Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, no you forgot 2016-2020 with all the quotes from the US president. I'm still trying to decipher them 😅

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The internet has undeniably changed the way we communicate and share information and memes have been playing a big role in this digital landscape. However, the concept of a "meme" is not unique to the internet era. Idil shared that while internet memes are obviously linked to the internet and digital culture, they have existed for as long as culture has existed. “If we are to take on Richard Dawkins's definition of the 'meme', then they are simply units of culture that are shared between people. This definition makes the history of memes much more expansive and far-reaching. Limor Shifman, who is a key figure in meme research, explains that internet memes are postmodern folklore. So, we could say that memes are inherent within folklore generally.”

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While the popularity of memes shows no signs of slowing down, it might be interesting to know what elements are necessary for something to be considered a meme. Idil explained that if we look at academic research about the matter, the main elements of a meme are content, form and stance. “Although ultimately, a meme becomes a meme once it is shared with others. The logic of circulation, or sharing, is part and parcel of memes.”

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While a lot of memes are created purely for entertainment, others can be used for communication and social commentary. According to Idil, memes play a variety of roles in today's culture. “They are fulfilling social, political, cultural and even economic functions. Something that surprises people is the fact that sharing a meme with a friend can be an act of friendship! I recently saw a tweet that described the TikToks that friends send each other as 'friend homework,' for example. Another significant role they play is that they facilitate the construction of identity, and community belonging. We can tell stories about who we are and extend narratives about ourselves and our worlds by making, sharing and engaging with internet memes. They're also a good way to kill time.”

#16

Funny-Classic-Art-Memes-Moderated

Bruno Nöma Tomljanović Report

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David
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone asking the witch to please change them back, they promise they won't say rude things any more.

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#23

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Cheesy LaVeda Report

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Kat Pekin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok but this is a legitimately beautiful painting. I'd love to get it for my Mum. Such a moving little story it tells. The proud and patient grandmother teaching the child to read, the attentive child cradling her baby doll but just obsessed with her grandmothers face.

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#25

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Emma Debay Report

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#30

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Whitney Pritchard Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm no quitter! ... Actually yes, yes I am. But not on the one thing I've been consistent at my whole life. No sir, I'm not giving up on desserts! Not today!

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#33

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Kat Pekin
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok i know we are laughing at funny captions but come the f*ck on with this art. How can someone get this kind of emotion into a picture, into eyes!?! Artists are just utterly phenomenal.

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#38

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Lisa Dona Report

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Kristie French
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Most of these artworks I’ve seen previously, but not this one. It’s very beautiful. Anyone know what it is, name, artist?

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#41

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Kevin Elliott Report

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#43

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Ian Kelley Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also have to kick litter out of the box, zoomies at 2, scratch the couch, and dip the piggies in my water dish. And unalive the house plants. It's a very busy schedule.

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#45

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Malinda Kester Report

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Ray Arani
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those puppies look sassy and that rabbit looks like she threatening to pull the basket over.

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#49

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Sherry Loucks Report

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Kenny Kulbiski
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, that's nice, but I came over to tell you that you left your phone on the bar.

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#50

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Kitty Johnson Report

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JoyfulZebra
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"I need to have my stomach pumped after eating 100 chicken nuggets in a single sitting?? Who could have guessed?!"

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#51

Funny-Classic-Art-Memes-Moderated

Joe Simpson Report

#55

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Joe Simpson Report

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Hatred Pony
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude's not even tied down, he's obviously into it. Don't kink shame.

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#56

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Memes of Art & Existential Dread Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Americans really will go to any lengths to not use the metric system. I wouldn't be surprised if one of us were behind this sh*t

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#59

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Leslie Lynch Gintz Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sound advice really. Psychiatrists should prescribe k9s and felines more often. They'll do wonders for your mental health 🥰 Now to go find my cat and remind her my mental health depends on her 🥰

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#60

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Dennis Loucks Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's actually no other explanation for what this artist was thinking 😂🤣

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#62

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Andrea Stegman Report

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#64

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Lisa-Marie Whilton Report

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Meowmeow
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's exhausting work being the sole source of someone's emotional well-being. That's why I have two cats ;)

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#66

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Vicky Mullaney Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My husband found me scrolling TikTok while sitting on the kitchen floor. Little did he know I had been there an hour 😅

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#67

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Leslie Lynch Gintz Report

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DebB
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've worked w/nurses & you wouldn't believe the s**t that comes out of their mouths 🤢🤢

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#72

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Lisa Dona Report

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#78

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Angye Leal Report

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Meowmeow
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Alternative definition: When you're an introvert who agreed to weekend plans and already faked an illness in the past month.

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#80

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Lisa Dona Report

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Fembot
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1 year ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And then despite yourself you laugh at his helicoptering, for the hundredth time

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