ADVERTISEMENT

When you point your camera at a random thing on the street, you usually don’t expect much. But in the vast sea of dull photos that fill your camera roll, one stands out. Call it a miracle, or a lovely surprise, but if you feel like the pic is superior in composition, style, lighting, and somewhat resembles a classical painting, it may be that you have just encountered “accidental renaissance.”

Thanks to the devoted community r/AccidentalRenaissance that seeks the thrill of photography that “accidentally resembles the types of art popular from the 14th-19th centuries,” we now know it’s a thing and not a mere coincidence. Created in 2014, the subreddit now has 748k “universalis personae,” aka members, who like looking for dramatic compositions, complex narratives, sophisticated lightning, and pictorial colors in everyday snaps.

So scroll down to see what the buzz is all about and after you’re done, don’t forget to check part 1 of Accidental Renaissance highlights such as “Pizza Night With The Woofers” and “The Lost Supper.”

#3

Our Cat Trying To Steal Cheese

Our Cat Trying To Steal Cheese

Openminded_skeptic Report

To find out more about the r/AccidentalRenaissance subreddit, Bored Panda reached out to its moderator u/openminded_skeptic. He told us that the subreddit was founded based upon a post from August 2014 that featured a picture showing a fight in the Ukrainian Parliament.

“Several people in the post expressed interest in a subreddit featuring photos that accidentally resembled Renaissance art (although the actual photo technically is more along the lines of Baroque art in coloring and lighting, the Golden Ratio spiral superimposed on it notwithstanding), and this subreddit was created.”

Throughout the past 6 years, the community has evolved in several ways. “First, the definition of 'Renaissance' has expanded to cover art styles from the 14th-19th centuries as the sub has risen in popularity,” u/openminded_skeptic explained.

#4

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Panes Of A Greenhouse

Oranges Photographed Through The Glass Panes Of A Greenhouse

mikeleus Report

#5

Blinky In The Sun. Our Pupper Passed Away This Morning. I Always Thought This iPhone Photo Of Him Looked Like A Painting

Blinky In The Sun. Our Pupper Passed Away This Morning. I Always Thought This iPhone Photo Of Him Looked Like A Painting

awheelz84 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Accidentally Took A Picture Of My Cat That Looks Like An Old Master's Painting

Accidentally Took A Picture Of My Cat That Looks Like An Old Master's Painting

hueftenspeck Report

Add photo comments
POST
paula-christopher avatar
Boudica
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

'If I don't turn around, they won't see that I did, in fact, get the cheese after all' ;-)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Secondly, the rules have now expanded to more easily enable moderation of what would be considered Renaissance. “It’s in the eye of the beholder,” said the moderator.

And thirdly, “I (u/openminded_skeptic) was added as a moderator as an April Fool's joke in 2018 due to my username being almost identical to the founder's (u/openmindedskeptic), and have more or less overtaken the subreddit.” In 2019, the companion subreddit to r/AccidentalRenaissance called r/Pet_Renaissance was created as “a place for people to post artistic pet photos.”

u/openminded_skeptic explained that for the purposes of r/AccidentalRenaissance, the community allows other genres from the 14th-19th centuries, as well as high-quality or timely popular photos or posts at times at the moderators' discretion.

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

A Caring Matriarch

A Caring Matriarch

shy-latte Report

As for the Renaissance photos, “generally, there's an emphasis on symmetry, balance, saturated colors (although early and high Renaissance used lighter, brighter colors while late Renaissance generally used darker, richer colors, but they were always saturated, not diluted), a focus on linear perspective and leading lines to help create a more 3-D image, balanced composition, and lots of references to classical Greek and Roman art and architecture.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Even though there are no professional art historians on the moderator team, u/openminded_skeptic assured us that “Some of us have a few art history courses under our belts, as well as an interest and appreciation for fine art and history.”

#12

A Monk In Italy. (Photographer: Steve Mccurry)

A Monk In Italy. (Photographer: Steve Mccurry)

santino_jann Report

He also added that moderating subreddits usually falls to one of three types of people: “those very passionate about the subject of the subreddit and wanting to help keep it relevant (I consider this to be me!), those who just love Reddit in general and want to help keep it going, or those who for one reason or another value a sense of prestige or having authority over others."

#14

A Little Girl Carrying A Lamb To Shelter From Falling Ash During Iceland's 2010 Volcanic Eruption

A Little Girl Carrying A Lamb To Shelter From Falling Ash During Iceland's 2010 Volcanic Eruption

takemedady Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Firefighters Taking A Break Out West

Firefighters Taking A Break Out West

Rat_Cat_Batman Report

Add photo comments
POST
wandiledludlu avatar
wandile dludlu
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Being a firefighter is weird... you might spend weeks without any hard things to do... but when it gets hard, it really gets hard

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

13th Attempt To Break The Gaza Blockade By Sea

13th Attempt To Break The Gaza Blockade By Sea

radonchong Report

Add photo comments
POST
earloflincoln avatar
Martha Meyer
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like the famous French revolution painting with the half naked woman.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#23

Two Mice Fighting.

Two Mice Fighting.

sk8boy102 Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#25

A Monk Prays For An Elderly Man Who Had Died Suddenly While Waiting For A Train In China.

A Monk Prays For An Elderly Man Who Had Died Suddenly While Waiting For A Train In China.

milsyway Report

Add photo comments
POST
christelnellemann avatar
Christel Nellemann
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sad, only for possible family left behind. But what if he was all alone and in pain , now he is at peace and someone is there for a goodbye prayer. Death is not bad in it self, and hopefully , the relations left here will accept quickly and remember him with love.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Snapped This Moment During My 12 Day - 110 Mile (800 Head Of Cattle) Drive From Utah To Arizona

Snapped This Moment During My 12 Day - 110 Mile (800 Head Of Cattle) Drive From Utah To Arizona

crazyoldmaurice Report

#28

Power From On High: Two Weed Farming Nuns

Power From On High: Two Weed Farming Nuns

alterego_001 Report

#29

Vasiliy Is Still Breathing

Vasiliy Is Still Breathing

gibgod Report

#30

Russian Soldier Playing An Abandoned Piano In Chechnya

Russian Soldier Playing An Abandoned Piano In Chechnya

ultralightdick Report

#33

A Young Man, Illuminated By Mobile Phones, Recites A Poem While Protestors Chant Slogans Calling For Civilian Rule, During A Blackout In Khartoum, Sudan

A Young Man, Illuminated By Mobile Phones, Recites A Poem While Protestors Chant Slogans Calling For Civilian Rule, During A Blackout In Khartoum, Sudan

Somali_Pir8 Report

#34

The First Batch (The Bakehouse In Vancouver)

The First Batch (The Bakehouse In Vancouver)

DyslexicSquirrel Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#35

Stumbled Upon A Fair In Brussels Recently. Truly Accidental Renaissance For Me!

Stumbled Upon A Fair In Brussels Recently. Truly Accidental Renaissance For Me!

jotwing13 Report

#36

My Girlfriend's Uncle Took A Photo Of This Monk At A 13th Century Monastery

My Girlfriend's Uncle Took A Photo Of This Monk At A 13th Century Monastery

mtkeepsrolling Report

Add photo comments
POST
lsoo avatar
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, a monk at at 13th century monastery already sets the ambience.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#38

Keanu Reeves Ascends To Save Mankind

Keanu Reeves Ascends To Save Mankind

worstwerewolf Report

Add photo comments
POST
siddharthtampi avatar
Mangoes'nRum
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean he descended to Earth to save mankind. He's not dead. Touchwood.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#39

Friend Took This Photo Of Me Napping The Other Day, Was Told I Should Post It Here

Friend Took This Photo Of Me Napping The Other Day, Was Told I Should Post It Here

goldilocksdeluxe Report

#41

Chinese Policemen Visiting The Remote Region Of Xinjiang To Spread Awareness Of The Coronavirus (2020)

Chinese Policemen Visiting The Remote Region Of Xinjiang To Spread Awareness Of The Coronavirus (2020)

docteurfake Report

#42

The Petulant Donald

The Petulant Donald

NocturnalEternal Report

Add photo comments
POST
sarcasticcow avatar
monika-soffronow avatar
Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A heartfelt Thank You to all Americans who voted him out of office! We all wait with bated breath for January 20th, hoping that other American politicians and officials will manage to rein him in and keep him from doing too much serious damage until then.

jubilant-andie avatar
Full of Giggles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As an American, I'm more worried about what he'll do AFTER he leaves the White House. He's so vindictive that I wouldn't put it past him to sell U.S. security and intelligence secrets to the highest bidder.

Load More Replies...
amyw9436 avatar
Amy Warnstedt
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They’re like the majority of intelligent Americans, “WTF is this this dipfuck even doing here?!”

acatnameddragon avatar
A Cat Named Dragon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The women leaders in the world were the only ones to stand up to him... May, Merkel, Frederiksen... I am so proud of all of them! And... oh wow does he hate and fear strong women!

katieandjaredcoates avatar
Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He won't even look in her eyes. I've taught toddlers that behaved better.

bossmare avatar
Sue Knerl
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am so glad he'll be gone soon. What a huge embarrassment he is to our country!

bp_10 avatar
WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Donny being his natural stupid entitled idiotic self again. China and Russia will miss him.

radar_doi avatar
Radar Doi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, this is such a good picture for a body language course :))

odiasuda565 avatar
Scratch
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Almost done with this moron, guys. Just a little longer and we won't have to look at his sneering ugly face any longer.

sujanchanthiran avatar
lara_harris avatar
Lara Harris
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I loved the moment at this where he started talking and everyone started laughing at him 😂

samthecat avatar
sam thecat
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

F*****g piece of s**t. Can’t even fire people directly. Hiding behind his tweets. Small,small man.

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I guess he'll have to cry into his billions of dollars now. He will think of your comment while he is on his private jet

Load More Replies...
anna-r-mchugh avatar
Anna McHugh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Angela: Listen Donald, I pickled something like you recently. Macron: Frau Merkel, not 'something like' - we found the jar outside.

tferchak2724 avatar
Toni Ferchak
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't it interesting how his crossed arms shows how defensive he always seems to be .

nikkiphilton avatar
Nikki Hilton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The disdain on those other leaders' faces. How we all felt about trump.

paige_garberding avatar
Paige Garberding
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's too stupid to understand a word she's saying, even when she only uses four-letter words just for him.

nalasimba avatar
nala simba
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Stop throwing your toys out of the pram Donny! That's very naughty. Act your age.

sulee_43221 avatar
Susan Riley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somebody photo-shopped an upside-down bowl of spaghetti on his head somewhere on the Internet a year or so ago. It was GLORIOUS!

jacquelynplace avatar
Mya Lugar
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I won't finish my peas! I won't !You're fired! Get me a new cook!

lorainemacginness_1 avatar
Loraine MacGinness
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is why politicians never get anything done ! Clever at wasting time !!

carlyejpip avatar
Carlye Piparato
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yippee!!!!!! He’s history!!!!!! Next official photograph: prison mug shot.

melanie_chaffin avatar
captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In his place? He currently runs the worlds largest army and the worlds largest economy, and he is personally worth many times which she is. Tell me again how she can put him in his place.

Load More Replies...
darkcoastcrewe avatar
captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It says what? He doesn't look angry, and neither do the people looking at him. If this was a photo of Obama looking exactly the same nobody would have a problem with it.

Load More Replies...
jaybird3939 avatar
Jaybird3939
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He needs a time out. Hopefully in the farthest corner of Siberia

ashleysovig avatar
Ashley Wright
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do you call him petulant? Bc he’s being berated by Angela Merkel et al? GMAB

sussanmercurio01 avatar
Susan Mercurio
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought this would happen: all of them not putting up with us any more

victorrsytnik avatar
Russian Otaku
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There is prime minister of japan and next to him that guy that was trying to publish a book of his time working in the white house and harassed or something so he could not publish it as he wanted

vanilla_2 avatar
VANILLA
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh my parents were voting for that little brat (not to be political) they preffered biden soooo much more

captaindash avatar
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You hypocrites would not be saying this if Obama had the exact same look on his face. You talk about how he was such a powerful leader. You people still don't understand why he was elected in the first place, and why he actually got more minority votes this time around. Assume you guys are going to get what you wished for and you will understand the consequences

jecrain6_6_634 avatar
JE Cummings
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh how I wish I could put a bullet into his brain-- except he has no brain, so I am powerless.

maria-d-geibel avatar
TheSneakyNinja
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's a... terrible thing for you to say. You may not like him, but fantasizing about killing him is messed up.

Load More Replies...
combietrophy avatar
Regina Polisso
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

You are all brainwashed by the haters....I'm glad I'm not your friend, I might end up with a knife in my back.

jaygrant avatar
jay grant
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

They are telling him why they don't want to pay their share of NATO defense

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

In The Train,india

In The Train,india

yehbikgayehaigormint Report

#44

Stevie Nicks Photographed At A Fleetwood Mac Concert In 1978

Stevie Nicks Photographed At A Fleetwood Mac Concert In 1978

dancovzz Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#45

Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved

SirBroDude Report

Add photo comments
POST
marythepoem avatar
Mary Peace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is beautiful, the flowing dresses, the positioning, it's really well balanced.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

King James Falling Into The Seats Looked Like Some Sort Of Renaissance Composition

King James Falling Into The Seats Looked Like Some Sort Of Renaissance Composition

GallowBoob Report

#49

Japanese Opposition Members Trying To Block The Passing Of New Immigration Laws

Japanese Opposition Members Trying To Block The Passing Of New Immigration Laws

berryjam Report

Add photo comments
POST
belandriel avatar
Belandriel
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uh... don't know the details behind this, but that's not how democracy works

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#50

A Feast In The Capital City

A Feast In The Capital City

median401k Report

Add photo comments
POST
samlomb avatar
Samantha Lomb
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cold McDonalds does not betoken opulence. I'm so glad this clown will soon be gone

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 122 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.