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Not everyone appreciates a good, old art masterpiece. Some might even go as far as calling it boring. It could be because they struggle to interpret the message behind the painting, or maybe they miss the symbols that lie hidden on the canvas. But some witty folk are changing that...
Armed with clever captions, they're putting the fun into fine art. They're adding a big dose of humor to historical artworks that once appealed mainly to the high-brow among us. Everyone from Da Vinci to Monet is getting a modern-day makeover, and being forced to move with the times.
Fine Art Funnies is somewhat of a virtual classical art gallery with a twist. The Facebook page features historical art that's being brought to life through a series of hilariously relatable captions. Many are hard not to laugh at - whether you're a fine art purveyor, or not.
Bored Panda has put together our favorites for your perusal. Think "Vet Bill. Oil On Canvas." Or "I Put Bread Down My Blouse And Pretended I Was A Toaster.” So make like you're in the Comedy Central Louvre and keep scrolling. Don't forget to let us know which ones you think are meme-worthy by upvoting them.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Some argue that making classical art meme-worthy devalues it, and amounts to nothing more than vandalism. Others believe it makes the art more accessible.
"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," writes Ross Carter-Carver, who believes that historical and technical placards in museums change our perception of art in the same way a meme does.
"The only difference is one alienates and the other engages a young audience," he says.
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#2
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
"and any time I try to join in their conversation, they run out of the room! How rude."
Michael Largey 1 month ago
"I've lived here in Transylvania since 1632 and never seen a vampire. And speaking of seeing, why can't this country make mirrors that actually work?"
#3
Giles McArdell 1 month ago
Sadly I think this is what allot of the US are doing (NOTE: ditto us lot in Europe), him and his like are not going anywhere until you stand up and kick them out!
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
I’m beginning to think if I did that, I’d give Rip Van Winkel a run for his money.
michael reid 1 month ago
Anyone who attacks our peaceful Venezuelan brothers is an enemy of us as well.
Modern art tends to be much more open-ended than the historical masterpieces once were.
"It was commissioned for political and religious purposes and had a concrete aim. Whilst the artist could express character he did it within the confines of a brief," explains Carter-Carver.
He adds that those creating art memes, or adding captions, aren't trying to tease meaning that was ever intended. But rather, they confer a meaning by manipulating art pieces.
"That is their power," Carter-Carver writes. "They are not a misunderstanding but a deliberate alteration."
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Robert Trebor 1 month ago
Or, when you are putting your washed things away and you have a sock left over, and find the wet sock on the floor betwixt the washer and dryer.
QuincyForrest 1 month ago
Alternate caption: "When you toss a wadded-up paper towel at the waste basket and it hits the rim and bounces onto the floor."
sturmwesen 1 month ago
or you thought you did clean the dog paws, but the paw has a secret dirt pocket that only loosens on carpet or couch
Jane Doe-Doe 1 month ago
My washing machine has a little door you can open to put extra bits in you might have missed, I use it it more often than I care to admit 🤣
Art writer Francesca Testa agrees. She says, for her personally, classical art memes offered a gateway to learning more about art history, understanding the artists' logic, and the meaning behind each painting.
"After much exposure to these memes, I felt compelled to find the answer to the question, why are they like these anyway?' After so much research and attempt to understand art history, it's safe to say that what these memes brought is no depreciation," Testa wrote.
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The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
Preparing to shít in it again as soon as you're done (or if you're lucky, while you're still cleaning it out).
Geoffrey Scott 1 month ago
Or the amazed expression I get when I fill in the little bare hole in the food dish so it looks full.."you, hooman, are a wizard!"
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UnclePanda 1 month ago (edited)
This explains so much. Probably gives the faithful catniptions, though.
Testa goes on to say that yes, medieval and renaissance art is indeed considered priceless today... "But just because they've been used as tools in injecting humor to the tragic every-day lives of angsty millennials or trivial adventures of a young individual doesn't mean they devalue the art pieces used."
These memes simply start a conversation that transcends time, she argues.
#10
The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
That's true even for us Americans 😂 My costliest dental bill? $1,500. My dog's? $4,400 🤦🏽♀️
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winterwidow87 1 month ago (edited)
I spent 0 euros for surgery to remove a uterine fibroid that made me bleed too much, and 350 euros to have my cats neutered.
Oskar vanZandt 1 month ago
Because animal health is not covered by insurance or taxes...
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Apatheist Account2 1 month ago
LinkedIn keeps suggesting people I might know from university. I went there in 1980. Chances are I don't know people who went in the last 40 years.
Abel 1 month ago
LinkedIn should suggest jobs, not friends. Or am I using it wrong?
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#12
Abel 1 month ago
F**k Disney. If your pets and other animals start talking to you go see a doctor ASAP! You are having an shizophrenic episode!
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
I thought that when Cinderella saw the fairy godmother turn the pumpkin into a coach, she should have said, “Never mind the ball—show me how to do that!”
Obviously, the memes and captions are not a true interpretation of the original artworks. But that's not to say there aren't stories or hidden messages in the historical paintings.
"In Renaissance painting right up through Baroque, artists continued to include subtle hints in their artwork, evoking further dimensions of narrative and emotion," explains 1st-art-gallery.com. "These visual puzzles were not simply for decoration; they conveyed political beliefs, religious principles, or personal feelings that could not be stated publicly."
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The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
We may have squandered that opportunity, but soon we may be able to put them on Mars! Then we wouldn't even have to see them from afar!
#14
Gebidozo 1 month ago
“My dear Friedericke-Haselein von Fotzenheim, I swear, this has never happened before! It must be that new Moorish drink recently imported into our blessed Europe, called “caufay” or “koophee” or some such… I had a gallon of it this morning, which must have resulted in the quickening of the phlegiston and, as Diderot puts it, ‘unabashed excitement’! I surely hope they don’t name this trivial occurrence ‘premature ejaculation’ after me, Count Premature d’Ejaculation-sur-la-mer! Ha-ha!..”
azubi 1 month ago
You don't use the F-word (in F*-heim). It's the german c-word.
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#15
MontanaMariner 1 month ago
Looking directly at you BP. Like so deep into your eyes that I'm inside you. Enough ads already.
Remi (He/Him) 1 month ago
Or the real place to close the ad is beside the x and you keep giving false clicks to the site
GenericElder 1 month ago
I was going to share my hack to avoid this issue, but then . . . I knew BP would be listening.
According to the site, some common symbols include skulls, which are a reminder of immortality. They're typically set in portraits as memento mori, notes 1st Art Gallery.
Lilies represent the Virgin Mary and purity, while dogs show loyalty or fidelity, particularly in wedding portraits. The gallery's experts say that mirrors are a sign of vanity or self-reflection, and sometimes represent illusion or truth.
"These repeated motifs created a visual vocabulary that was interpretable by educated audiences of this period," the site adds.
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QuincyForrest 1 month ago
Is that a flask in her hand? Sure looks like it. Another "alcohol involved" incident?
#17
Abel 1 month ago
Keith Richards is older than Da Vinci and Mona Lisa combined. I guess.
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#18
Mike F 1 month ago
You SOB, what do you mean that the new password can't be the same as the old one? You told me it was incorrect, AGAIN!
SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
No, it fvcking isn’t. And I know this, because I wrote it down the last time you made me change it, and typed it VERY carefully. You’re just trying to force me to change it again.
The online gallery's experts say that understanding symbolism in classical art is not a process of puzzle-solving but of restoring the artist's original meaning and emotional impact. "When open criticism or profound theologizing had to be veiled, works of art provided a secure means of communication on more than one plane," they argue.
They believe that regardless of how many art memes do the rounds, the original symbols hidden in paintings still matter.
"Knowing these symbols enables us to appreciate the art of earlier centuries more profoundly, making us one with the intellectual, religious, and cultural forces of centuries ago."
#19
Panda'sMom 3 weeks ago
Arrrrrrrrrh! Burn it! Burn the bra! Not sure if I care I'm still in it!
#20
Ladedah 1 month ago
You're only about half right... some dogs definitely snore
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#21
Janissary35680 1 month ago
Back in the 70s I think it was there was a joke about two US congressmen being "on the same page".
#22
David Paterson 1 month ago
Did I say a minute, make that an hour. Better yet a fortnight, why not make it 20 years, goodbye.
#24
Gingersnap In Iowa 1 month ago
Get me a bucket, I think I'm going to puke 🤢
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#25
QuincyForrest 1 month ago
S'truth. A lady came up behind me in line at the grocery store just the other day, arms full of a dozen or more small items. The store has hand baskets readily available. You just know she was only getting "a couple of things" when she walked in.
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Jesus Ortiz 1 month ago
True, eating cats is absolutely barbaric behaviour. Best leave it for the coyotes and other wildlife. (This is sarcasm, to the cat lovers out there, don't tear my head off).
#28
TrulyToast 1 month ago
lead and read rhyme. lead and read rhyme. But lead and read don't rhyme.
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Zig Zag Wanderer 1 month ago (edited)
"Well, I do!" *walks away in a huff*
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B Hobbs 1 month ago (edited)
Most languages have a body that actually tries to guide the evolution their language. English is free range, unencumbered by guidance and control. English has this thing called a spelling bee, where one tries to memorize the correct spelling of words. Some languages have strict rules of spelling and pronunciation, a spelling bee would be a trivial task for most. English s u c k s. I am a native English speaker.
Don't listen to me 1 month ago (edited)
English is a bAstErd language evolved from a mixture of several European languages, in order of conquest starting with the Vikings & moving all round the continental coast to the Norman french. With a soupcon of the original celtic & flavouring of Roman legion.
Child of the Stars 1 month ago
When my kids were learning to read, I told them that English isn't a language, it's 3 languages in a trenchcoat. Their aunt (who is an English teacher) didn't think it was very funny.
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#29
UnclePanda 1 month ago (edited)
And Dog1234!#WhyDoIHaveToKeepChangingIt?#%@abc is very confused.
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
This is why some people keep having children, so they do not run out of passwords.
#30
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
Who's going to tell that one guy that the back of his trousers have ripped?
timhood 1 month ago
You don't want to know why that is intentionally there. 😆
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Lotekguy 1 month ago
Don't worry, dude. If this were a pizza oven, we'd have covered you with cheese and pepperoni.
Andrew Keir 3 weeks ago
But not pineapple, that would be both illegal and heresy !
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#31
Day Andie 1 month ago
Ah wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh, wimoweh In the jungle the mighty jungle.....
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The Majestic Opossum 1 month ago
That's impossible. A man could never wash a cup and put the bin out if he had the flu.
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#34
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
The wife leans to one side, let's out an unearthly sound and says... "Uh-oh, I think I need to be excused" before waddling off.
#35
Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
What is love by Haddaway. Objectively THE best song, ever.
Eggwodd 1 month ago
Dmm it, now I'll be singing that for the rest of the day!
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Lynn Drew 1 month ago
"I have Compulsive Disorder Obsessive" "Don't you mean Obsessive compulsive Disorder?" "CFJ, can't you just be supportive for once?!"
DoomsdayUKgirl 3 weeks ago
To the Mission Impossible theme tune: Compulsive Disorder: OBSESSIVE
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#41
QuincyForrest 1 month ago
My self-portrait. But at seventy and single male it still doesn't stop me. If I ever get the chance. It's the chances I don't get.
Brain-In-A-Vat 1 month ago
'I may not be as good as I once was , but I am as good once as I ever was . . . '
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#42
Mrs Irish Mom 1 month ago
Jesus's mary and Joseph, the amount of scam air B&B's around are disgusting
Cristi nah 1 month ago
Tiny studio, no kitchen neither toilet, when asked for a crib they had not any and there were a donkey and an ox inside. 1 star
Joanne Mendonza-Earle 1 month ago
Joseph: 'Is there any room at the inn?' Innkeeper: 'Are you crazy?? It's Christmas Eve!'
Gebidozo 1 month ago
“Come on, man, I f*****g paid in advance. My donkey is starving, wife needs new shoes, a camel just spat on me. How about this, I’ll share Wi-Fi costs?”
Abel 1 month ago
"But here are three guys coming on camels that will pay for the rent." Are you kidding me!?"
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Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het 1 month ago
Basic security, do not write down your passwords, just remember the 57 passwords you have for all the websites you use.
Janissary35680 1 month ago
Much easier is to create a simple rule for generating a website's pw from the website's name and remember the rule. (And don't tell anyone.) That way you can have as many (usually) unique passwords for as many websites and services that you use. If the website requires you to change the pw from time to time, create a temporary dummy pw (with the same rule and noting the fact somwhere) and revert to the "real" pw as quickly as possible.
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Billo66 1 month ago
I just put all mine in a document I posted online so I can refer to them easier. I''m a rebel. I'm a beast. Also they are all the same word.
#44
Nadia D 1 month ago
I’ve just learned the word “frock”, thank you🙂 I want the dress too 😇
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#45
#46
Norm Gilmore 1 month ago
When I do crosswords I like to use a particular brand type of pen as it makes a very satisfying scratchy noise as I'm filling in the spaces. :-)
Grm Moore 1 month ago
I do use paper for shopping list actually. Add throughout the week, done by the time I do the shop.
Gregory W 1 month ago
I go up and down every aisle to visually remind myself. Works almost all the time.
nottheactualphoto 1 month ago
I got home and realized I'd forgotten to buy pickles.
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UnclePanda 1 month ago
And every morning you have the thought, "Maybe I'll feel as good as I used to tomorrow." Itera usque ad mortem.
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Andrew Keir 3 weeks ago
I like this too, this but leave first, then start the arguments. Less drama.
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Bill Swallow 1 month ago
Well, do YOU want to pay what NASA paid for that transmitter and receiver?
Zig Zag Wanderer 1 month ago
That is because WiFi was invented in Australia. It doesn't work properly in the Northern Hemisphere, because the magnetic field is the other polarity. Or something.
#57
UnclePanda 1 month ago
I used to tell my staff, "Look, somebody has to listen when I'm talking and it's not going to be me."
#61
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Panda'sMom 3 weeks ago
I know they wore them high, but holy cow, that's a lot of STARCH!! Was she a nagger?
#63
Bill Swallow 1 month ago
... Or at least, a screwdriver. (Which, as I understand it, was invented to help with donning / doffing armor.)
#64
Eggwodd 1 month ago
OMG, stop it, I'm at work! Laughing at spreadsheets don't fly here!
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Zig Zag Wanderer 1 month ago
I think you should use 'Will' as your first name....
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#76
Marlene Ricker 3 weeks ago
Shades of Michael Jackson!! Didn't look good on him either!
Load More Replies... Panda'sMom 3 weeks ago
It is if you are the HOA president. Now neighbors will no longer obey her.
#77
Der Kommissar 1 month ago
When you do finally get the Prep H, try the new salted caramel flavor
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What do you think ?
David Paterson 1 month ago
Me too. I don't dare download ANY of these because they're all way too close to the truth.
Load More Replies... SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
These are some of the best posts BP does. More, please!
Caffeinated Ape 1 month ago
Two things we can typically rely on here on BP: Animal photos, and these classical art memes.
QuincyForrest 1 month ago
I'd like these even more if there was a link or description of the original. It would be interesting to learn about the actual art and artists whose work is shown.
David Paterson 1 month ago
Me too. I don't dare download ANY of these because they're all way too close to the truth.
Load More Replies... SchadenFreudian Psychology 1 month ago
These are some of the best posts BP does. More, please!
Caffeinated Ape 1 month ago
Two things we can typically rely on here on BP: Animal photos, and these classical art memes.
QuincyForrest 1 month ago
I'd like these even more if there was a link or description of the original. It would be interesting to learn about the actual art and artists whose work is shown.
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