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There are plenty of unexpected pairings that turn out to go great together, like salt and caramel, chocolate and chili (please, oh please, add a piece of chocolate the next time you’re making chili and thank me later), or classical art and memes.

You probably already see where this is going, and you’re not wrong – today we want to shed light on some more masterpieces composed of classical paintings and 21st century quips. If you’ve seen our previous edition on the pairing, you know you’re in for a treat, and if you haven’t, wait not a second longer and scroll down to immerse yourself in the unique universe of classical subjects facing modern-day problems. Enjoy the giggle!

#1

Classical art meme with a painted woman and humorous text about intelligent and stupid people.

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troufaki13
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Tolerance will reach such a level that intelligent people will be banned from thinking so as not to offend the imbeciles.” —Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

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    #3

    Classical art meme showing a crowd with humorous text about job security.

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    Pandora
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good news! With all those migrants now being deported, there's plenty of jobs available picking crops!

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    It’s no secret that classical art is not something everyone enjoys equally. Some people might even say they find it difficult to understand. Memes, on the other hand, are pretty universal and easily digestible. With some minor changes, such as altering the text, for instance, or translating it to a different language, they can become relatable to a vast audience of internet users.

    Having that in mind, it’s safe to assume that turning classical art into memes might make it more appealing to some people. Chances are, one might find it boring to roam a museum for hours, but they wouldn’t notice time fly by when browsing the same paintings on their phone, if they featured some amusing quips.

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    A study delving deeper into associations between emotions, museum visitors’ posts, and memes found that positive emotions predominated when it came to both – museum visitors and Instagram users interacting with artworks in the form of paintings or memes.

    “According to our findings, people may have been surprised to encounter artworks that they had previously viewed as memes during both scheduled and spontaneous visits,” the study read in part.

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    #8

    Classical art meme of a statue holding a lion, captioned about stopping a cat from escaping while getting pizza.

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    For Bored Panda’s previous edition on the ‘Classical Sarcasm’ project, a representative of the team behind it shared that it’s the everyday struggles that are depicted in the memes that attract so many young and old followers.

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    They continued to point out that in their opinion, the content they share helps internet users appreciate classical art more. "Surely, classical art was almost forgotten without social media! Every painting has a story behind it, and those stories are being told with every meme we make," they told Bored Panda back then.

    The representative of the ‘Classical Sarcasm’ team told Bored Panda last year that there’s no such thing as a ‘bad’ meme because every person looks at memes from a different angle. And they seem to look at a looot of them on a regular basis – some statistics suggest that the average millennial looks at 20-30 memes every day.

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    But just like memes, art is highly subjective, too. And there is no one way to look at one piece, as it might evoke different emotions to different people. So it’s no surprise that what people consider art differs from person to person as well.

    #13

    Classical art meme of a woman napping, with text humorously suggesting naps make people heroes.

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    Lady Lestrange
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I need my entire life's worth of willpower to wake up for ONE day. For ONE time.

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    A survey carried out by YouGov found that the vast majority of the general public consider classical paintings art; as much as 92% of respondents said that they view Da Vinci’s iconic ‘Mona Lisa’ as art, 94% of them did Vettriano’s ‘Singing Buttler’, and 78% did Picasso’s ‘Guernica’. However, the modern kind of creations were not as widely accepted as art.

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    #16

    Cat meme using classical art style, cat with a curtain resembling a nun's veil, humorously captioned with blessings.

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    Bettye McKee
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Thank you, Sister Felicia. May the Lord shine His light upon you this day.

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    While ‘Mona Lisa’ was clearly art in most people’s eyes, according to YouGov’s survey, only 42% of respondents put Andy Warhol's ‘Campbells soup can’ in the same category. Tracey Emin’s ‘My Bed’ from 1998, as well as Marcel Duschamp’s ‘Fountain’ from 1917, didn’t make it to the list, either, as only 12% of respondents considered the latter two pieces art.

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    #19

    Classical art meme humorously depicts a biblical scene with text about a place to stay during pregnancy.

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    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My favourite mnemonic for the order of the planets: Mary's Virgin Excuse Makes Joseph Suspect Upstairs Neighbour.

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    If you’re a fan who prefers to admire artwork from the comfort of their home, you might want to give Bored Panda’s category dedicated to all sorts of art a look next. But if it’s memes that you enjoy more than anything, you should probably head to the meme category instead.

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    #28

    Classical art meme depicts a woman tied to a stake saying "Pineapple on pizza is delicious," while crowd shouts "Witch!"

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In that case I must be a witch also. Have I turned any of you guys into a newt before?

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    #29

    Classical art meme of a mother and baby with a humorous caption expressing tiredness.

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    keyboardtek
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Such a heavy burden being told all through your youth that you have to be the savior of all humans in order to remove every human's original sin.

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    #37

    Classical art meme depicting a woman with humorous text about not folding laundry.

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    Depressy spaghetti
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I actually love doing my laundry, its the washing of dishes i cant stand.

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    #40

    Classical art meme with humorous dialogue about a girlfriend and mom's reaction.

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    #41

    Classical art used humorously with a speech bubble featuring a modern caption.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Actually, the way I understand it is he wouldn’t condemn you at all, but those who openly advertise their faith in him will in half a heartbeat—-before heading off for six days of rampant and unrepentant sinning, while standing in stern judgment of everyone else, before supposedly being absolved of all of it for no other reason than they showed up at church on Sunday.

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    #43

    Classical art meme of a couple with text: "Do you feel anything for me?" and "I feel sorry for you."

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    Bettye McKee
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know that feeling. I'm feeling for you, but I can't quite reach you.

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    #46

    Classical art meme showing a woman doing laundry by a riverside, captioned humor highlights the contrast between eras.

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    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    In all the little villages of France you can still find lavoirs (public washing areas). The idea alone of lugging your wash there and back home gives me a back ache.

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    #47

    Classical art meme with a modern twist: Jesus orders 12 waters, winking at disciples at the Last Supper.

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jesus must have been popular as a teen. Just water? No id required. Then off to the park to get paralytic.

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    #53

    Classical art meme featuring a woman reclining with humorous text on grammar usage.

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    LLP-roundincircles
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There, there. Their intentions are questionable. But, they're not overtly evil.

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    #55

    Classical art meme with humorous text comparing childbirth pain to a man's cold; people gathered around a bed.

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How we men suffer so terribly, with quiet dignity, when we have a cold. And yet you women mock us and our bravery!

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    #63

    Classical art meme depicting historical figures humorously discussing free speech and gun rights.

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    char
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jimmy Mads: "so people can say whatever they want, and we're not gonna do anything about it, that seems fair, right?" Johnny Adams: "but- but what if they're mean to me?" Mads: "no, man, I said-" Woody Wilson: "but what if they're against joining a european war?" Georgie Wash: "i'm sorry, we're doing what? have you guys listened to a thing I told you?" Ikey Eisenhower: "but what if they're commies?" Mads: *flips the table*

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    #64

    Classical art meme of a man realizing he's wrong during an argument.

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    Tabitha
    Community Member
    1 month ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then your Habsburg chin tells you the wrong goes much further back than you, but at least it’s all in the family (if you know…)

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    #65

    Classical art meme with a king looking indifferent as someone threatens him with a sword, captioned "Whatever."

    Daily Dose of Memes Report

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    #66

    Classical art meme with text about generating electricity from irritation, featuring three women in historical attire.

    Syed Sameer Report

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is happening in this picture? Why is she in a mood? Does she not like the attention of other ladies?

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    #68

    Classical art meme with a humorous caption about kitchen frustration.

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    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    When they change the position of the pans on the hob slightly, or randomly stir stuff.

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    #70

    Classical art meme with humorous text and an alphabet puzzle.

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    #73

    Garfield meme with a humorous take on visiting an old job, showcasing a ban sign.

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    #74

    Classical art meme featuring a man in a suit with humorous pub joke text overlay.

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    TMMITW
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The difference between a fiddle and a violin is a violin has strings and a fiddle has straangs.

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    #76

    Two women in classical art meme, one asks if they look better in pictures or real life, the other responds "In theory."

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    Jay Scales
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What's she got to grumble about? I'd love to look like that!!

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    #80

    Classical art meme with a man proposing sleep and a woman humorously declining due to insomnia.

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    #81

    Classical art meme showing a surprised man's expression, humorously compared to YouTubers in thumbnails.

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    Corvus
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't forget to circle something that won't even be mentioned in the video.

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    #87

    Classical art meme with a man asking, "What's wrong?" and a woman replying, "Everything."

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    Erla Zwingle
    Community Member
    1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    First of all, you're pushing me against the wall. Is this your Big Move?

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