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Art and history Pandas, you’re in for a treat today! Comedy lovers, get in here, too. We’re featuring some of the best new classical art and art history memes from the wildly popular r/trippinthroughtime subreddit.

Home to nearly 4.2 million art meme fans, the online community has shown that old artwork paired with modern captions can result in explosively hilarious combinations. Not to mention the spot-on social commentary you can do while proving that pretty much nothing has fundamentally changed over hundreds of years. We’re all plagued by the very same worries as our forefathers, and old paintings are full of incredibly expressive people who mirror our own feelings with eerie accuracy.

Upvote your fave art history memes and be sure to tell us which ones you loved the most and why, dear Pandas. You probably realized that we absolutely love art history memes. How much, you ask? Well, we’ve got three previous articles about r/trippinthroughtime waiting for you when you’re done enjoying this newest list: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3. Unlike most galleries, Bored Panda encourages running and loud laughter.

#3

Hit The Nail On The Head With This One

Hit The Nail On The Head With This One

RayTracingOn Report

The r/trippinthroughtime subreddit has been capturing the imaginations of redditors far and wide since the late summer of 2013. In the years since, it’s become a major congregation point for everyone who likes to have a good chuckle and has a certain soft spot for paint, old books, and a dash of sociology.

You can tell that the sub loves to have fun from its description of itself alone. “In historic art pieces depicting multiple humans, there is a law that at least one of those humans will look like they have no clue how or why they got there. It's like Where's Waldo, except instead of looking for Waldo you're looking for the dude that looks like he just dropped acid.” See? We told you.

#5

Every Got' Dang Time!

Every Got' Dang Time!

Hybrid-Moment Report

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#6

But The Video Games Make Kids Violent, Mean While In The Past

But The Video Games Make Kids Violent, Mean While In The Past

MyNameGifOreilly Report

The moderators who keep the subreddit’s ship sailing smoothly recommend that the folks posting memes should also add the era, mention the historical event, and give a general indication of what the source of the painting is.

That way, anyone who’s been awed by the beauty of the art itself can Google their way into more knowledge. What’s more, anyone who’s interested in the historical background can do their own research far easier than if everyone keeps the sources secret.

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#9

It’s Important To Set Up Healthy Boundaries!

It’s Important To Set Up Healthy Boundaries!

Bmchris44 Report

Shelby Bercume, a former Florida art gallery director and an expert in all things art, previously explained to Bored Panda that, in her opinion, accessibility and a more empathetic approach are vital when it comes to getting more people interested. Many people find art history “intimidating and difficult to grasp” because it’s not a subject that’s often taught in schools.

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"I don’t necessarily think art history is an inaccessible entity, but I know that people tend to feel intimidated by things they aren’t experts in. Since art is often, if not always subjective, it feels even more intimidating than a subject with a 'right answer,' like math for example. I think often that leads to a disconnect between the desire to dive into the subject of art and by relation art history, and the execution of it,” the art expert told Bored Panda during an interview.

#13

Answering The Big Questions

Answering The Big Questions

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#15

Happens Every Time

Happens Every Time

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Stardust she/her
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or when I put on headphones. Right now my brother is trying to talk to me about something useless despite wearing them

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Art should be as democratic as possible, the expert shared. It shouldn’t be exclusionary. Everyone should have access to it, no matter their education. No matter their background.

“Art is something to be enjoyed and shouldn’t be reserved for an exclusive group," the former gallery director said.

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#17

Who?!

Who?!

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Vorknkx
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He wants to make sure your book doesn't violate community standards :D

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#18

Good Thing There’s No Fly In It

Good Thing There’s No Fly In It

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"Art is aesthetics and feelings. If you love something, voice why you love it... if you can’t find the words, that’s ok! Talking about art is really discussing how the art affects your emotional state and what thoughts it provokes," the expert told us.

#20

Small Island Held By 13 Ukrainians Told A Russian Warship To Go F**k Itself After The Warship Told Them To Surrender

Small Island Held By 13 Ukrainians Told A Russian Warship To Go F**k Itself After The Warship Told Them To Surrender

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#21

Alternative Scenarios

Alternative Scenarios

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"And remember, it is ok to not love everything, believe it or not, certain artworks are meant to be disturbing or disliked. Just don’t be intimidated to speak up because that’s really all we’re doing when we talk about art. We’re voicing opinions."

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#23

Think Twice Before You Definitely Decide For Parenthood

Think Twice Before You Definitely Decide For Parenthood

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Meanwhile, art historian and educational content creator Mary McGillivray explained to Bored Panda that it’s often people’s own perceptions about art and art history that stop them from learning more about both. In other words, if we think the areas are too high-brow for us, we won’t attempt to delve deeper. Even though the reality might be different.

#26

There Was Some Artistic License Used

There Was Some Artistic License Used

Scaulbylausis Report

#27

Respect For The Hustle

Respect For The Hustle

killHACKS Report

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professormcgonagallminerva avatar
Stardust she/her
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

“Buy your Jesus shirts here, we also have customizable pins featuring him on the cross. 25% off if you chant all the verses in the bible”

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“A lot of people think that art history is very serious and very important and this leads to them feeling overwhelmed—or even feeling like art history isn't for them. This isn't true! I've said it before and I'll say it again, art history is just old memes. Once we start to see the humor and the humanity in art, it becomes far less intimidating,” Mary said.

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#29

Barrels Of Fashion

Barrels Of Fashion

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#31

Yes

Yes

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#32

I'll Only Let You In If You Have Sunflower Seeds In Your Pockets

I'll Only Let You In If You Have Sunflower Seeds In Your Pockets

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#34

Now We Know Why It’s The Best Selling Book Of All Time

Now We Know Why It’s The Best Selling Book Of All Time

apkleber Report

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Giles McArdell
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude on right : "Why're you waving your hand in the air like that? My hand's right here if you want to shake it."

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#35

That's A Big Difference

That's A Big Difference

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#37

As Soon As You Start To Eat

As Soon As You Start To Eat

Pazluz Report

#40

Sayeth Thou The Words, With Thine Own Lips

Sayeth Thou The Words, With Thine Own Lips

insolent_swine Report

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LeeAnne B
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's exactly who they are. The monologue is from Samuel L Jackson's character, Jules Winfield.

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Trinity
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I remember in High School, there was this arrogant girl who acted like she knew everything, but clearly she didn't know that I knew Old English and so, in the middle of class (we were learning about Shakespeare and the evolution of the English language) and she thought Romeo and Juliet was a pretty love story and claimed she knows Old English, I asked her something along the lines of: "I beseech thee, heinous crone, as to how thee deluded thyself into undoubtedly believing in thy delusion of intellectual superiority?" and she just looked at me with a contorted, confused expression while the teacher was trying not to die from laughter. That was the day I became my teacher's favourite student and we made a trend to talk to each other in Old English. Ah, I miss those days...

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Winter
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shakespeare isn't "Old English". It's not even Middle English. Old English is very Germanic and hardly resembles Modern English at all. "Beowulf" is Old English. "Canterbury Tales" is Middle English. I believe Shakespeare is actually considered a form of Modern English, though that should probably be updated.

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Lisa Valen
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Beg pardon? Henceforth, I beseech you, bellow into these Lord forsaken ears. Twice.

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Luz Onsurez
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother’s keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.” Samuel L. Jackson’s Ezekiel 25:17 speech from Pulp Fiction

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Nikkie Pirog
Community Member
1 year ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Adrian
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why does the picture look like a western medieval arms dealer showing an eastern arms dealer how to use the latest in weaponry.

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Note: this post originally had 116 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.