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Very often, adding a short piece of text to a single picture results in a complete change of the context of what we’re looking at. This is especially amusing when observing captured activities, emotions, or interactions between subjects in the image. Adding a funny comment in this way may alter the original meaning and give it a hilarious twist.

The subreddit 'Trippin Through Time' features an impressive collection of classical art turned into memes, shared by its community. The fact that all of them are inspired by original paintings makes them even funnier and proves that even images from hundreds of years ago, with a bit of context, can turn out to be very current and relatable to many of us.

Scroll down to see the list of the recent memes from the subreddit and to read our interview with Matthew Ponesse, Professor of History at Ohio Dominican University.

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    #2

    Thats A Valid Question

    Thats A Valid Question

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    Bored Panda reached out to Matthew Ponesse, Professor of History at Ohio Dominican University. According to his faculty profile, he earned his Bachelor's degree with majors in history and philosophy at the University of Toronto. Subsequently, he pursued graduate work at the University of Toronto's Centre for Medieval Studies, obtaining his M.A. and Ph.D. in the field of Medieval Studies.

    In addition to his academic work, Ponesse is also the author of humorous content on his Instagram profile, 'Medievalist Matt.' This account is dedicated to sharing memes inspired by art, pop culture, and history. Hence, we wanted to discuss the role of classical art in creating relatable memes that reference images from distant times.

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    Eager to discover more about the inspiration behind Matthew’s work, we asked how his background in art influenced his approach to meme creation. The Professor of History shared with us: “My background as a medieval historian has most greatly influenced my approach to meme creation. Much of the art produced during the Middle Ages developed in a very specific historical context. When brought into the modern world, these images appear bizarre and outlandish. It's this disconnect between the medieval and modern world that I think people find humorous.”

    #8

    Well, If You Insist.

    Well, If You Insist.

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    BPisaddictive 🇮🇹 🤌
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the Vesuvius for sure, I'm from Naples! The ladies wear old traditional neapolitan clothes

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    Asked if there are any specific art movements or artists from the classical era that Ponesse particularly enjoys working with, he answered: “I particularly enjoy working with medieval marginalia, the illustrations often found in the borders of medieval manuscripts. While the text of most medieval manuscripts concerns serious topics, the margins are where artists and illustrators were allowed to experiment and create. Many people assume that life in the Middle Ages was serious and bleak, but medieval art reveals a world that was also bright, imaginative, and full of laughter.”

    #10

    Bless You, And Bless Me

    Bless You, And Bless Me

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    #11

    Perhaps.

    Perhaps.

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    Lastly, we were wondering if the professor from Ohio encountered any unexpected responses related to the content shared on the Medievalist Matt profile. He shared that: “I'm most surprised at how many people relate to my memes. I'd describe my memes as very niche, and first thought that they'd only appeal to art historians and students of ancient and medieval history. But I'm often contacted by people who tell me that they share my memes with their colleagues in healthcare, business, and a variety of other professions. While many of these people remember their history classes as being dull and boring, they clearly have a fascination with the past and enjoy historical content.”

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    #13

    Got Any Plans This Weekend?

    Got Any Plans This Weekend?

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    #19

    Pronouncing It Wrong Because I Only Read It In A Book

    Pronouncing It Wrong Because I Only Read It In A Book

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    #22

    Relationship Advice

    Relationship Advice

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    Panda Kicki
    Community Member
    11 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They had very different raspberries back then.. And where does the centaur poop? 😱

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    #23

    Girl, He's Not Worth It

    Girl, He's Not Worth It

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    #29

    That Special “Out Of Touch” Feeling

    That Special “Out Of Touch” Feeling

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    #30

    You Can Almost Smell Him

    You Can Almost Smell Him

    mistermajik2000 Report

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    #31

    Demons

    Demons

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    #32

    Bye

    Bye

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    Alex Boyd
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    start with "Best wishes!" And then just keep adding exclamation points until it looks sincere. Realize you overshot and now it looks sarcastic. Briefly consider a wacky caper in which you replace the card and forge everyone else's signatures, then remember you aren't a sitcom character. Give up and pass the card to the next person.

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    #35

    That Grilled Cheese Burrito Tho...

    That Grilled Cheese Burrito Tho...

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    #37

    College Boy

    College Boy

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    #38

    Surely I'm Not The Only One This Has Happened To, Right?

    Surely I'm Not The Only One This Has Happened To, Right?

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    Justme
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Usually the admin assistant. It boggles me when people can’t click around and figure out some things (easy things). No one taught me how to do this, I just clicked around and figured it out!

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    #39

    Greatest Fear

    Greatest Fear

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    #44

    Careful, He's A Hero

    Careful, He's A Hero

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    Lene
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    At the bar I once frequented there was this group of young guys one evening who got very very drunk. One of them was so drunk he managed to buy 30 shots and he brought them to the table, he sat down, and *boom* he fell asleep. Nobody ever drank any of the shots and the dude had to be escorted outside when the bar closed. Lol. Never saw those people again.

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    #45

    The Temptation Of Saint Qdoba

    The Temptation Of Saint Qdoba

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "CERTAINLY, Sir!" (I *love* simple, easy solutions! Now to pad the check for these idiots!)

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    #46

    Bff

    Bff

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    #48

    We'll Always Be Friends, Right Copper

    We'll Always Be Friends, Right Copper

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    #50

    The Tease

    The Tease

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    Lyone Fein
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No, you can't borrow my shoes. I don't care if we're the same size.

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    #51

    When You Meet For The First Time, And See Things That Wasn't Obvious By The Profile Pics. Just Deal With It.

    When You Meet For The First Time, And See Things That Wasn't Obvious By The Profile Pics. Just Deal With It.

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    #52

    Oh... Hey!... Nice To Meet You!

    Oh... Hey!... Nice To Meet You!

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    rustythorn
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sadly Jesus could no longer walk on water after he got the holes in his feet

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    #53

    Why Not Just Tell Me I Look Like Shit??

    Why Not Just Tell Me I Look Like Shit??

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    #54

    He "Fell" In Love

    He "Fell" In Love

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    #55

    Built-In Radar

    Built-In Radar

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    Jeff Hunt
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or, go to the bathroom. Or, make a snack. Or, sit down to watch something other than cocomelon.

    #56

    Sorry I’m Late

    Sorry I’m Late

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    #58

    All The Kings Horses And All The King's Men Couldn't Make The Towers Appealing Again

    All The Kings Horses And All The King's Men Couldn't Make The Towers Appealing Again

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    #59

    'tis The Season Of The Lazy Hatchet Man

    'tis The Season Of The Lazy Hatchet Man

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    #60

    Tale As Old As Time

    Tale As Old As Time

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    #62

    Modern Dating Is Way More Convenient

    Modern Dating Is Way More Convenient

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    #63

    A Quiet Spot For Enjoying The Greenery

    A Quiet Spot For Enjoying The Greenery

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    Bill Swallow
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Heck, Mom would'a been in there partying with the rest of us!

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    #65

    And Then Come The Convenience Fees

    And Then Come The Convenience Fees

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    #66

    Too Much Food

    Too Much Food

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    #68

    Trippin' Through Spam

    Trippin' Through Spam

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    #69

    Just What The Heck Is In Gamgam's Cherries?

    Just What The Heck Is In Gamgam's Cherries?

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    #70

    Same Thing With The Tent

    Same Thing With The Tent

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    #71

    How Not To Motivate An Army Before A Major Battle

    How Not To Motivate An Army Before A Major Battle

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    Natty Tempest
    Community Member
    11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And God on our side! A white one! And all theirs are fake, so we should stab them with farm tools.

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    #72

    Pardon The Mess, I'm Renovating My Inner World

    Pardon The Mess, I'm Renovating My Inner World

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    #73

    Student Loans Also About To Show Up

    Student Loans Also About To Show Up

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    #74

    Jackass

    Jackass

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    #75

    Less Taste, More Filling

    Less Taste, More Filling

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