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When we think of memes, we rarely associate them with something sophisticated or intellectual. Yet, such a genre exists: classical art memes. Well, they may not be particularly academic or require you to have a degree in Fine Arts; they're more of a bridge between the snobbish art world and the Internet spaces brimming with irony.

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One Instagram page does classical art memes exceptionally well, pairing them with witty modern-day captions. The visual part of the memes is the acclaimed works from the masters of art, and the captions are about things that matter to our generation: Tinder, naps, and how many cats are actually too many cats.

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    The classical art memes account we're covering here has been going strong on Instagram since 2018. Today, it has over 300k ardent followers who like their humor, in the words of the great bard Harry Styles, mixed with a bit of intellect. The goal of the creator is simple: "I put modern day captions on classical paintings to make you laugh," the page's bio reads.

    Back in 2022, when we covered the Instagram page for the first time, the creator told Bored Panda that art history was their hobby for quite some time before they decided to start this page. "I always used to come across these paintings that looked like they were exactly made for a meme," the creator told us back then.


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    The creator of the page told us in a previous interview that they believe the key to the success of this page is its relatability. The captions are all about relationship problems, reflections on today's politics and religion, and, of course, some meta Internet stuff. "Even though the paintings are hundreds of years old, their expressions and captions make it seem they are one of us," the creator said.

    Some say that pages like these make classical art more accessible to younger generations: making it funny, easier to understand, and more relatable. The creator of the meme page believes that tech in general helps make art and art history more accessible. "More and more people have started appreciating art after seeing them on their feeds and then trying to learn more about their backgrounds. Technology has made its interpretation and access inclusive."


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    #9

    Great work of art meme with a woman lying in bed, pondering her morning plans.

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    Patti Golden
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That looks like it could be a tablet in her hand. Maybe she's got carried away on board panda

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    One reason why classical art memes work so well is that they're captioned with modern-day takes. Classical art meme creators put two things that seemingly shouldn't work together, but they do. It's what makes them funny, actually. It might seem bizarre to draw similarities between meme culture and classical art, but it's that juxtaposition that makes it so funny.

    #11

    Great work of art meme with a girl asking an elderly woman about not needing glasses, woman humorously responds about drinking.

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    Sinead Kenny
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    See, clearly I'm keeping up with long standing traditions.... ahem!

    Elle Gea
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep less t wash les water amd.eergu used straight t recycling LEAN and green 💚

    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Now look, BP gets money based on advertising. Engagement increases such revenue. So I'm engaging, just because. Also: I might not be lucky enough to have attained the age of 76 and I might need glasses already, but - yeah... 😁

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    #12

    A dog pondering in front of a mirror, creating a funny meme based on great works of art.

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    Some say that Marcel Duchamp's famous "L.H.O.O.Q." repainting of the Mona Lisa can be considered a sort of classical art meme as well. Duchamp repainted Da Vinci's masterpiece and added a mustache and a goatee on the subject's face. The piece's title, "L.H.O.O.Q." translates into a vulgar French saying, "complimenting" the woman's behind.

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    Art historians say that we can call Duchamp's painting a sort of a meme because there's text on the replicated image, there's a humorous intention, and it's Duchamp's way of critiquing society. It became a symbol of the Dada movement, based on rebelling on everything that art represented.

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    What about those who say that playing with classical art pieces to make memes is equal to desecrating them? Ross Carver-Carter has an answer: "Comical captions make art far more appealing and wide-reaching than they were sequestered away in temples of culture which shrouded works behind indecipherable jargon," he writes in his Medium.

    In fact, meme-ing classical art has changed how we interact with it. What once seemed unapproachable and locked away in museums and private collections is now something we can alter and play with. "People can take and make meaning in old works and make them their own with no placards to tell them what to think and what to feel," Carver-Carter wrote.

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    #22

    Medieval artwork used as a canvas for a funny meme about dog walking, with a knight handling a creature.

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    pineapple87
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So far my dog has never shown dislike towards a single human. If it ever happens, I will trust her judgement.

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    Aside from memes, is art even more accessible to us today than it was, say, 20 years ago? Some would argue that yes. Some call exhibitions like The Immersive Van Gogh Experience and merchandise like the Dr. Martens x Jean Michel Basquiat a step toward more accessibility. Others call it kitsch, not "real" art.

    #25

    Classical painting with woman in white dress, humorously captioned for funny art meme.

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    Lowrider 56
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All day today I felt like there something important to do, but can't remember what!

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    #26

    Art meme with humorous text overlay on a classic painting, featuring playful dialogue about beauty and self-perception.

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    Ash
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yes! Fat should be a basic descriptor, not an insult. It's as acceptable to be fat as it is to be blonde, or tall, or brown-eyed.

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    #27

    Great works of art meme with person pondering life, captioned about exploring Earth, space, and life's meaninglessness.

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    Forrest Hobbs
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks like a picture of ennui to me. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/ennui

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    But the reality is that "real" art is still behind closed doors in museums and galleries and millionaires' private collections. In a way, classical art memes can be an act of rebellion; the context of the artwork itself has little to do with the meme itself.

    ''Memes don't seek to tease meaning that was ever intended in pieces, they confer a meaning by manipulating them," Carver-Carter points out. "That is their power. They are not a misunderstanding but a deliberate alteration."

    #29

    Two women in vintage attire featuring a humorous meme about marriage using a classic work of art as the canvas.

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    So, Pandas, what did you think of this collection of classical art memes? Did you recognize any of the paintings? Let us know in the comments! And if you want to see our previous articles about this classical art memes page, head over herehere, and here for more!

    #34

    Man in vintage art stressed over studying, humorously depicting history struggles, with text about future students.

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    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think the years in this caption need updating. To 2024, at least, and it's not looking too good for the next four, either.

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    #41

    Medieval artwork humor meme with a woman and a demon, captioned about sleep paralysis and lateness.

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    John Legere
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    BP stop putting those annoying ads in the bottom semi right corner of the screen asking us to go premium. Sounds like amazon tactics.

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    #52

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "It was the best of times, it was the worst..." nope, start again ...

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    #57

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    #61

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    #62

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    Patti Golden
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Send this to trump, Jesus knows who he really is and knows he has not one religious bone in his body

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    #65

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    Andrew Keir
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is his hat so far behind his head? Or is Darth Vader standing inappropriately close?

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    #67

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    #68

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    Michael Largey
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Life could be a lot worse, Jane." "Really? How long are you staying?"

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    #69

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    Mike F
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When you're trying to get to the bathroom without waking the whole house up but you step on a Lego.

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    #71

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    cerinamroth
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I didn't think Putin could look any weirder than he already does, but there you go

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    #73

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    Ash
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is why Moses was so excited when God passed by and Moses got to see his back. .....I'm going to hell, aren't I.

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    #75

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    Norm Gilmore
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep the high standards and get the cats. (or pet of your choice. Though I'm on the fence about Tarantulas...)

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