When you stroll through an art museum viewing the masterpieces of previous time periods, what’s going through your mind? Do you marvel at how impressive the paintings were from times before photographs and the internet were available? Or do you imagine what clever captions you could paste onto the paintings to turn them into modern day memes?
If you’re a connoisseur of memes who’s also interested in taking a scroll through a virtual art gallery, we’ve got the perfect list for you down below. We took a trip to the “Ancient Memez” Instagram page to gather our favorite paintings from the past that have been given clever contemporary captions, so enjoy reading through and be sure to upvote the pics that you find most relatable!
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#relatable- I mean what? did you guys just hear anything, because I certainly didn’t.
For a previous Bored Panda article featuring memes created from classical pieces of artwork, we reached out to Jeydie Woloszczuk, the woman behind What the Art?!, a blog dedicated to discussing art history. We were curious what sparked Jeydie’s interest in art history in the first place and what she loves most about the topic.
“I find it fascinating that there is a mystery behind every painting, even if it seems clear cut,” she shared. “Every time you view a piece of art there is a clue that leads to multiple questions and guesses.”
I like the ragged, tired Jesus on the bottom left: "He's still staring at me after 6 hours, doesn't he ...?"
“As a viewer, the only thing you really know is that the artist put a bit of themselves into it and has thought of ways to provoke their audience,” Jeydie continued. “Studying art and art history, as with many other subjects, is rewarding since you get to find out more about the art piece, the artists, and possibly, how they managed to influence history and culture.”
The art expert also shared that her favorite style of art is Impressionism. “It managed to break all the rules of its time and kick start the art scene in America as we know it today,” Jeydie explained. “I feel that when I look at impressionistic art I'm viewing it from the perspective of the artist and how they saw the scene or person. It can be unforgettable and stirring.”
A prism sentence for being gay.....ok it's a bad pun on this spectrum.
We were also curious if Jeydie believes that art pieces from the past are still relevant today. “I think pieces, including the masterpieces, still influence modern artists,” she told Bored Panda. “Yet, I don't think they're relatable. Let's say, for example, the image of Venus. She is the persona of beauty and perfection; she is voluptuous and seductive. But in today's standards, society still views being thin as being the ultimate beauty. Yes, there are companies trying to break that old thought, but one doesn't see it changing in other industries; such as the movies.”
Jeydie also shared her thoughts on why classical art might make for such brilliant memes today. “As funny as memes can be, they’re a way of exposing art to the modern generation,” she noted. “That being said, people puzzle over classical art because the art is not familiar or similar to what they see in the world today. Granted, there are some pretty strange pieces that were created in the past that inspire a laugh.”
“I believe that art has a strong presence in society and that it is constantly evolving. There is always something to be said and experienced by it,” Jeydie added.
Ah yes. In saving the spider you prove your worthiness as a friend to the apex predators of the forrest and they gather to welcome you to their powerful ranks. You have the mighty bear, the lethal owl, prowling wolves, a clever yet deadly fox, a destructivly dangerous boar, and .....2 fluffy bunnies!
Napoleon once lost a fight against a load of fluffy bunnies, so clearly they have more power up their fluffy little sleeves than we’d think
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Spiders are friends; they eat all the annoying bugs. I allow the ceiling spiders to stay but the lower level ones must be rehomed for their own safety because of my dogs
A spider got caught in my sticky moth trap (and one whose bite can genuinely hurt you). I ignored it at first but then I felt bad about leaving it there to die slowly so I got a spoon and went to put it out of its misery. But even then I couldn't bring myself to kill it, so I very slowly and carefully used the spoon to set it free one leg at a time. It lost one leg in the process but I successfully rescued it and put it outside. You'd better come back one day to save my life in return, spooder.
Isn't that the bare minimum? Decent people don't kill anything just because it wasn't invited. Let alone spiders. Leave them be! Take them outside, or let them roan your shelf, but don't squash anybody who wants to live. Seriously, that's messed up. If taking them in a cup or so is too much already - I'd recommend this regardless of fear, due to our heavyhandedness, we tend to rip off legs and such, and that way, not so much - that's not your fault, but your responsibility, and if that can't be cured by just getting your shid together or prep-thinking or something along these lines, seek treatment? Anxiety disorders are no fun, even if you're not considerate enough to see spiders' lives as important enough to be bothered - entitledness, anyone? - it's still a serious issue just by the issue and it's inner logic itself, independent from spiders triggering it, or redhaired children or blue Maseratis from the 70's. Have you ever thought about how to actually run with four times as many legs as you can employ? That's pure elegance! Double-diagonally synced walking isn't something to look down on, but totally cool, and as smooth as legs can carry.
Were you sniffing the old coca-cola in a previous image before you typed that out? I agree no need to kill them just because, but my goodness that's some energy right there!
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I always put them in my pockets en route to school. I thought they were safe. Children's pockets, full of rubber bands, sweaty hands, and paper clips are not safe for spiders. I learned the hard way.
When I was little I collected all the snails from the garden and put them in a jar. That is how I found out that they are carnivorous and the reason I'm going to hell.
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My house is infested right now as it got colder. I have my husband take them outside but it feels like trying to empty swimming pool with a teaspoon while it rains. Next few weeks are gonna be tough. You would expected them to find a nice hidden spot and stay put to survive winter but nooo they have to roam around and scare me. Just so many this year and all of them so big!
I've had an influx lately (of dead spiders) and wondered if the two cats I have were exceptional insect hunters? That was until I heard the cat flap go and Athena proudly drop a live one in my bedroom. Let me say that again, she is bringing in live spiders! Briefly until they're unalive.
Load More Replies... I love how cheesy '70s motel art is lumped in with the masters.
I let them stay in the house, they get rid of the gnats that are too small for the zapper to catch
You ever see two hares duke it out over territory, they are bad asses.
The picture says, we (all creatures of this planet) should live in harmony. Not a bad Idea
unless your an australian.....the spider has bitten you and you have 2 mins left before agonizing death
I operate a spider relocation service. Though I have explained to all of spiderdom that if they scare the s**t out of me, I will dispatch them. And then I apologize (though rarely do I cry, it takes the loss of a truly special spider for me to cry at their loss).
Not so fast! Unless you can identify that spider, putting it outside might be a death sentence. Sure, sometimes an "outside" spider makes it indoors by hitching a ride in, but most house spiders are acclimated to a certain temperature and environment. I generally move spiders to a less used area of my place. They earn their keep, which makes them great housemates.
Anyone who squashes a spider should be forbidden for life from employing a dreamcatcher for decorative purposes.
I always put them outside but every single time imagine them being reunited with their already outside family & friends and planning a surprise attack on me...
In another previous Bored Panda article, we got in touch with J.T. Lanci, creator of the Véronais Art Blog. J.T. shared that his passion for classical art came after he spent a few years living in his grandfather's home city of Lanciano, Italy. “There I was exposed to classical art and learned a whole new vocabulary for talking about it,” he explained. "What really made me fall in love with classical art is its universality. Classical art tells stories that speak to us as sons, daughters, mothers, fathers, spouses, and every other role life hands us as human beings. Classical art is for all of us, and it tells the stories that have defined us since the beginning of time.”
According to J.T., “Classical art is more relevant today than ever. In the modern world we are bombarded with messages about who we are or who we are supposed to be, and classical art grounds us in our natural form. Moreover, the beauty of classical art has stood the test of time and inspires us to share our own inner beauty with the world.”
Reading this meme in its entirety really put me in a weird headspace
J.T. also shared some tips for anyone who’s interested in delving into the world of classical art for the first time. “I would encourage anyone that is interested in learning more about classical art to take an art appreciation course. These courses are often offered by local museums or online. There are also many wonderful art analysis videos available for free on YouTube,” he suggested. “Try searching for ‘art analysis of’ and check out some of the incredible videos that pop up. Of course, there are also great resources available on my blog, The Véronais Art Blog.”
“Don't let anyone turn you away from classical art with the impression that it is snobby or pretentious,” J.T. added. “The great artists that created these works are reaching down through the centuries to speak directly to our innermost selves. Those messages are intended for you, so don't let some condescending dork in a turtleneck gatekeep with his fancy lingo and French pronunciations.”
We hope you’re getting a kick out of these memes, pandas, and that you’re enjoying the modern spins that have been put on these ancient pieces of art. Keep upvoting the ones you find particularly relevant today, and let us know in the comments what you love most about art from the past. Then if you’re interested in reading another Bored Panda article featuring classical art pieces that have been meme-ified, we recommend checking out this one next!
I liked the Lord of the Rings movie adaptation (and read the book as well).
When you take a nap and it's day, wake up and it's dark like" Whose the president?.."
I'm waiting at Discount Tire and I'm laughing my a*s off. I needed this today.
I'm waiting at Discount Tire and I'm laughing my a*s off. I needed this today.
