Ever tried to paint a cat? It turns out that it’s not as easy as you might expect. It indeed wasn’t for these Medieval artists anyway! While they excelled at painting religious scenes, portraits of Royalty, and naked ladies, this particular type of pussy offered an altogether different challenge.

There are a couple of reasons why these funny cats look as they do in the Medieval art depictions. One of them is that the primary purpose of these paintings was to translate the religious scripts to the illiterate (bear in mind that there were relatively few people who could read - monks, priests, and the nobility), and the other, unnecessary details weren't so scrupulously painted.

On the other hand, linear perspective, giving a painting depth, was not systemized until the Italian Renaissance. That's why the given ugly cats look so flat and slightly misshapen.

While most of them have got the basic shape of a feline down to a reasonable tee in these cat illustrations, it is the face that seems to provide the biggest problem. Instead of the cute kitten features we all know and love, the artists instead appear to favor a grim, almost human-like look that makes these cat paintings look a bit, well, scary. I guess the drawings do prove, though, that we have been obsessed with sharing cat memes since way before the internet!

Scroll down to check out the list of Medieval funny cat memes compiled by Bored Panda below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorites!

#1

Yeah... Fish Is Not Gonna Work, You'll Have To Try Harder

Yeah... Fish Is Not Gonna Work, You'll Have To Try Harder

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#2

Done With Life

Done With Life

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Hans
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks a bit like a face swap with this foozled Jesus fresco.

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#3

What A Cutie

What A Cutie

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Jenn
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

did someone start to paint a person then went 'ah fuck it - now it's a cat' ?????

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#5

Melancholic Cat Plays The Lyre

Melancholic Cat Plays The Lyre

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#6

Cat With Eyebrows

Cat With Eyebrows

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Hans
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fair enough. Probably cats still had eyebrows in these days...

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#7

Hey Cat. Stop Licking Your Butt On The Book Of Maccabees Or You’ll Get An Arrow

Hey Cat. Stop Licking Your Butt On The Book Of Maccabees Or You’ll Get An Arrow

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Agnes Jekyll
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Genius. I hope the guy who drew her got a good long laugh--all the way to his next 7-year transcription

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#8

The True King

The True King

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stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

*smile, he must have finished painting now, keep smiling*

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#9

This Must Be A Cat From The Hallucinogenic Meadows Of Scotland

This Must Be A Cat From The Hallucinogenic Meadows Of Scotland

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Shmily Riley
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm feeling better and better about my cat drawing abilities.

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#10

This Cat Is Starring Into Your Soul

This Cat Is Starring Into Your Soul

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#11

I Know I Don't Want To Know What These Two Just Saw

I Know I Don't Want To Know What These Two Just Saw

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webbkitten
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I really want to know what's on the far side of this pic

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#12

This Bathing Cat

This Bathing Cat

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stellermatt
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah Frank, I'm taking a bath, so what?! paint a picture, it'll last longer! oh...

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#14

I Want To Have Whatever That Cat Is Having

I Want To Have Whatever That Cat Is Having

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Miss Cris
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh, at first I thought "this cat looks like a dog"... before scrolling

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#17

This Bishop Cat

This Bishop Cat

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Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not a cat. That's King Ringtail Julien XIII!

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#18

Medieval Cheshire Cat

Medieval Cheshire Cat

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#19

Is This A Cat, A Dog Or A Boar?

Is This A Cat, A Dog Or A Boar?

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#20

The One And Only Love

The One And Only Love

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webbkitten
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why is he wearing lipstick? did he plan this date?

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#21

Cat Rider

Cat Rider

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Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least all the parts of the face are facing the same way this time.

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#22

Defiant Cat Riding A Horse

Defiant Cat Riding A Horse

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#23

I Has Mowse

I Has Mowse

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webbkitten
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

why does the mouse look so normal and the cat look so...so wrong?

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#26

Zombie Petting A Cat

Zombie Petting A Cat

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Miss Cris
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a pity that cats had eaten all that giant strawberries at middle ages so they have been extinguished before I was born, I would love them!

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#27

This Looks Like A Lizard Pretending To Be A Cat

This Looks Like A Lizard Pretending To Be A Cat

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#28

Catnip Trip

Catnip Trip

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Pillow
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wondering, if any of this artists ever seen a cat?

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#29

Magpie Inspecting The Cat’s Butt

Magpie Inspecting The Cat’s Butt

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Neeraj Jha
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Cat seems to be celebrating #NoShaveNovember!

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#30

Catsnail

Catsnail

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#32

Wild Cats

Wild Cats

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Jef Bateman
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think they are weasels. I thought that the one in the tree was the body of one turned into some abominable object of worship at first, but it is a weasel getting some bird eggs.

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#33

Because Why Shouldn't A Cat Be Playing A Stringed Instrument?

Because Why Shouldn't A Cat Be Playing A Stringed Instrument?

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#34

Cat Churning Butter

Cat Churning Butter

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Dragonet
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least it actully looks ok... semi-catish...?

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#35

Cats’ Habits

Cats’ Habits

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Gali Soff
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the middle one has the pattern of .. The Dress https://www.google.com/search?q=the+dress&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj9g57bt4_aAhUOVa0KHWFlA4YQ_AUICigB&biw=1250&bih=652 😂

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#36

Bipedal Cat Monsters Eating A Leech?

Bipedal Cat Monsters Eating A Leech?

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#37

That Kitten Is Not... Ok

That Kitten Is Not... Ok

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My O My
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why are there cats ans apes side by side all the time?

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#39

I Can Has A Spindle?

I Can Has A Spindle?

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#40

Cloaked And Flower-Tailed Feline

Cloaked And Flower-Tailed Feline

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#41

Queen Cat And A Monkey Pope Tripping Balls?

Queen Cat And A Monkey Pope Tripping Balls?

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#42

Monkey Hugging A Kitten - No Wonder The She Took It As Her Own

Monkey Hugging A Kitten - No Wonder The She Took It As Her Own

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Jef Bateman
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do they put so many monkeys with the cats? Is it because monkeys used to be common as pets?

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#43

Medieval Cat Or The Ouroboros? 'Tis The Catouroboros

Medieval Cat Or The Ouroboros? 'Tis The Catouroboros

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#44

Alien Cat

Alien Cat

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Magpie
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hey at least this one kindof got the shape of the pupil right.

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#45

White Cat

White Cat

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Elfmonkey
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The background is actually really nice!

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#48

He Hates Meeces To Pieces

He Hates Meeces To Pieces

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#49

Classic Cat And Mouse Relationship

Classic Cat And Mouse Relationship

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#50

Hudy-Gurdy Cat

Hudy-Gurdy Cat

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#51

Someone Please Take That Kitten Out Of It's Misery

Someone Please Take That Kitten Out Of It's Misery

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Miss Cris
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I like how the monkey express tenderness and care

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#53

The King Of The Cats... Or Maybe Demons That Went Through A Food Processor?

The King Of The Cats... Or Maybe Demons That Went Through A Food Processor?

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#55

Drumming Cat

Drumming Cat

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KismetTheFox
Community Member
5 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yo listen up here’s a story... Bout a little guy that’s blue, inside and outside Blue his house, with a blue little window

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#56

Marginal Kitten

Marginal Kitten

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#57

Devil And The Cat Worshippers Kissing The Cat’s Butt

Devil And The Cat Worshippers Kissing The Cat’s Butt

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