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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

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#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

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#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

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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' ;-)

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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.

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#9

A Caring Matriarch

A Caring Matriarch

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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.”

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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

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#16

Firefighters Taking A Break Out West

Firefighters Taking A Break Out West

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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

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#17

13th Attempt To Break The Gaza Blockade By Sea

13th Attempt To Break The Gaza Blockade By Sea

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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.

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#23

Two Mice Fighting.

Two Mice Fighting.

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#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.

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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.

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#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

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#28

Power From On High: Two Weed Farming Nuns

Power From On High: Two Weed Farming Nuns

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#29

Vasiliy Is Still Breathing

Vasiliy Is Still Breathing

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#30

Russian Soldier Playing An Abandoned Piano In Chechnya

Russian Soldier Playing An Abandoned Piano In Chechnya

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#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

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#34

The First Batch (The Bakehouse In Vancouver)

The First Batch (The Bakehouse In Vancouver)

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#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

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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.

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#38

Keanu Reeves Ascends To Save Mankind

Keanu Reeves Ascends To Save Mankind

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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.

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#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

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#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)

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#43

In The Train,india

In The Train,india

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#44

Stevie Nicks Photographed At A Fleetwood Mac Concert In 1978

Stevie Nicks Photographed At A Fleetwood Mac Concert In 1978

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#45

Dearly Beloved

Dearly Beloved

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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.

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#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

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#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

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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

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#50

A Feast In The Capital City

A Feast In The Capital City

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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

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#51

Jay Wright Captured Backstage At A Rodarte Fashion Show, Thought It Was A Painting At First Glance!

Jay Wright Captured Backstage At A Rodarte Fashion Show, Thought It Was A Painting At First Glance!

ceffir Report

#52

And So The Sun Was Created For The Pleasure Of These Majestic Creatures. Warming The Souls Of All Those Who Gaze Upon Their Magnificence

And So The Sun Was Created For The Pleasure Of These Majestic Creatures. Warming The Souls Of All Those Who Gaze Upon Their Magnificence

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#53

This Photo My Friend Took Today In A Farm Around Wismar

This Photo My Friend Took Today In A Farm Around Wismar

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#54

The Ride Home

The Ride Home

slyburger13 Report

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Zoe's Mom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this one might be my favorite. It's like he's almost being lit up by light. He even has a lighter color jacket on which helps define him in this picture.

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#56

Took This Of My Dog When He Was Drying Off From A Rainy Walk, Felt Very Regal

Took This Of My Dog When He Was Drying Off From A Rainy Walk, Felt Very Regal

reddit.com Report

#57

When Your Travel Pillow Makes You Shakespeare

When Your Travel Pillow Makes You Shakespeare

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I never realized that a travel pillow could double as an Elizabethan collar.

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#58

Russian Flutist Playing Mozart During Removal Of Brain Tumor

Russian Flutist Playing Mozart During Removal Of Brain Tumor

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Mary Peace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I presume this is so they can monitor her brain activity and avoid damaging the parts of her brain she uses to play.

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#60

A Nun At The Airport (Oc)

A Nun At The Airport (Oc)

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

If you photo shopped this shot and removed the people in the back, this truly looks like a renaissance picture

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#61

Man Reading At Mcdonalds

Man Reading At Mcdonalds

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#64

United States Of America 2020

United States Of America 2020

JDeCarvalho1 Report

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

The person holding the flag upside down makes a very powerful statement.

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#66

Hurricane Teddy - Cape Hatteras, Nc

Hurricane Teddy - Cape Hatteras, Nc

yelpisforsnitches Report

#67

This Photo Of My Favorite Chicken Turned Out Accidentally Beautiful

This Photo Of My Favorite Chicken Turned Out Accidentally Beautiful

mgracierees Report

#69

Image Of The First Case Of The New Coronavirus Infected Person In Hongkong

Image Of The First Case Of The New Coronavirus Infected Person In Hongkong

powtsu Report

#70

Game’s Night

Game’s Night

blakefaraway Report

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Mary Peace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sorry, but it's Games Night, no apostrophe - unless the man's name is game and the night belongs to him.

#72

This Picture Of A Russian Canteen Made Me Think Of This Sub

This Picture Of A Russian Canteen Made Me Think Of This Sub

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#74

Not Sure If The Painting Is Considered Renaissance But If It Is Then ‘Double Renaissance’

Not Sure If The Painting Is Considered Renaissance But If It Is Then ‘Double Renaissance’

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#79

This Photo I Took At The Volin Viking Festival This Summer

This Photo I Took At The Volin Viking Festival This Summer

TheThread Report

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Monika Soffronow
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wolin is the name both of a Polish island in the Baltic Sea, just off the Polish coast, and a town on that island. Annually, the island is home to Europe's biggest Germanic-Slavic Viking festival. (Wikipedia) ""21st Century Viking Stories" XXII Slavs and Viking Festival Wolin 2016" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXRfzcWN0jk

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#82

California Fire Being Extinguished By A 747

California Fire Being Extinguished By A 747

ryannut Report

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Niffler_13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If we practiced controlled burns maybe the wildfires wouldn't get so bad.

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#84

My Son And I Caught In A Storm

My Son And I Caught In A Storm

CLWsucks Report

#85

The Passion Of The Slice

The Passion Of The Slice

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#86

My Daughter Refused To Cooperate During A Photoshoot

My Daughter Refused To Cooperate During A Photoshoot

Waynersnitzel Report

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Helen Haley
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course she wasn't in the mood, half of everything you put on her is scratchy or binding.

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#87

Quarantined Italians Play Music To Each Other

Quarantined Italians Play Music To Each Other

rogermoog Report

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#88

Full Circle Renaissance (Credit: Bosslogic)

Full Circle Renaissance (Credit: Bosslogic)

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#90

Blackout During Examination

Blackout During Examination

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Chris Miller
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ok everyone. I never thought I'd say this but.... take out your phones.

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#92

These Guys Doing Homework At The Bar

These Guys Doing Homework At The Bar

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

If a bar is the least noisy place can you find to do your homework...

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#93

London Children And Their Families, Celebrating Christmas Day In An Underground Shelter. December 25 1940.

London Children And Their Families, Celebrating Christmas Day In An Underground Shelter. December 25 1940.

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

Despite a war going on and the fear of bombs destroying everything they own, they still can enjoy this moment. Quite a contrast with those " AH NEET MAH FREEDUMB" idiots.

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#95

Me And My Wife After A 7am Wedding In Disney World Circa 2017

Me And My Wife After A 7am Wedding In Disney World Circa 2017

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#99

The Voter

The Voter

CardiganHall Report

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#100

As Renaissance As It Gets

As Renaissance As It Gets

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#101

The Family Trying To Take Wine Away From My Aunt For A Christmas Photo.

The Family Trying To Take Wine Away From My Aunt For A Christmas Photo.

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#102

The Storyteller

The Storyteller

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#104

My Girlfriend Suffering With Eye Pain

My Girlfriend Suffering With Eye Pain

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#105

Saint Dad, Out Father Of Newborn

Saint Dad, Out Father Of Newborn

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Storm Anne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

hey i bet he didn't mean to be offensive. Stop the hate and just let the comment be. :(

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#106

The Modern Plague

The Modern Plague

owlingthrough2 Report

#107

The Invasion Of Private Space

The Invasion Of Private Space

Ab1ue Report

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jay grant
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Zuckerberg knows all about invading other people's private space

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#109

Clutching His Robe In Fear

Clutching His Robe In Fear

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

...so, soccer clubs should declare themselves cults and apply for tax exemption :))

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#112

The Adoration Of The Screen.

The Adoration Of The Screen.

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#113

War Of The Melon

War Of The Melon

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William Abler-Ramirez
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I heard about this they oil up the watermelon and then they play football and after they eats it

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#114

Moscow Subway

Moscow Subway

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Morgan Leigh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Both of them look exhausted. I bet they were happy to get home!

#115

Signing Their Wedding License In A Bar

Signing Their Wedding License In A Bar

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#116

The Failed System Of Brazil

The Failed System Of Brazil

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#118

Politicians In Flooded Venice, 2019

Politicians In Flooded Venice, 2019

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#120

A Full Train

A Full Train

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

Is this in Romania? Because I've been in this situation a few times before, in the exact type of train

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#122

Looks Like Something Van Gogh Would Have A Time With.

Looks Like Something Van Gogh Would Have A Time With.

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