For many, art is something only stuffy old professors or snobby wealthy gallery employees like. However, that's not the case at all. We're here to make a case in favor of all the museums of the world because art is something everyone should enjoy! No, you don't have to have a Ph.D. in the impressionist movement to admire a painting. Besides, you might find a piece that unexpectedly moves you. The main thing to know is that you don't need to take it too seriously. To prove that, we've gathered some of the funniest classical art memes we found online. Here's to having fun!
Getting Tipsy at Lunch
Ah, lunchtime... It's every office worker's second-favorite time of the day after going home time. Trust us; we know your struggle, and so did medieval peasants. Except they didn't keep office hours and had to work the land all day. That doesn't mean they didn't know how to have fun, even during working hours. So, the next time you have a bit too many during midday, remember this.
If the peasants could keep going when all they had to drink was beer or wine, then you can make it to the end of office hours after having one.. or too many cocktails.
He's a Juice Conoisseur
To understand this meme, you have to go back to when life was simpler. Close your eyes, and think back to your childhood. Wasn't it fascinating to watch the grownups drink wine? It always made us wonder what it tasted like, but we knew it was a forbidden substance to us. That magic shattered the second we tried a sip. Playing pretend with apple juice was much more fun.
We could do all the same things adults did with wine, like smell it, swirl it, and all, but then have a sip of a drink we actually enjoyed.
Dress to Impress
There's nothing wrong with wanting to put in low effort on how you look. We all have those days in which we'd go to the grocery in sweats and a messy bun. However, sometimes you want to go all out: for a wedding, perhaps, or maybe it's just a get-together, but someone you want to impress will be there. In that case, don't let anybody rain on your parade!
They say that it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, and we agree entirely. Take a page from this lady's book and go all out, no matter the occasion.
King Tut Needed to Toot
When thinking of Egyptian Pharaohs, most of us imagine them as imposing figures covered in gold and expensive clothes. They were considered gods on Earth, so it makes sense that they had to look the part. That said, they were still humans, so they probably had the exact needs we do... even the embarrassing ones. Seriously, do you think Kings don't fart or poop? Here's the evidence.
The guy must've been busting to go when they made that sarcophagus because the features look like us when we've had something with way too much cheese in it.
Death Isn't as Metal as We Thought
Isn't it amazing how our view of the world changes as we grow up? We'd never have thought gardening would be fun when we were teenagers, but now, as adults, we'd love nothing more than to have a yard to plant vegetables and flowers in. Maybe it's because we lost faith in the world and would rather interact with plants than humans. After all, even death needs a break.
We're assuming the skeletons are representations of death. Then again, it could be a picture of us with our friends. Yeah, we haven't been keeping up with our skincare routines.
How Many Supernatural Beings Witnessed Our Meltdowns?
Why do emotional breakdowns always occur in the early hours of the morning? It's like the clock strikes three, and automatically everyone who's not asleep starts bawling into their pillows or into their drink if they're party animals. Look, we don't like to assume, and people can have different habits. We're just grateful nobody's there to see us ugly cry. At least no humans are...
If there are any supernatural beings out there witnessing our breakdown, then we apologize, but that's just life. They should've announced themselves if they wanted to be spared the awkward encounter.
Turns Out, the Devil Loves Silk
Becoming a nun or monk might sound boring to contemporary ears, but it wasn't a bad deal back in the Middle Ages. Think about it: you didn't have to fight in wars, and you'd always have food, beer, or even wine if you lived in an area where grapes vines grew. Besides, if the devil came knocking at your door, you could distract him with your soft silk garments.
Actually, the silk was probably reserved for those of higher status, so you, being a lowly monk or nun, wouldn't have anything to show the devil if you came across him.
Grab the Breasts, They're Running Away!
Did you know that dissecting human bodies was illegal back in the day? Well, it's still against the law to do that if the person is alive, but if they're dead, and there's a valid reason for it, then you can. Michelangelo famously studied anatomy on the down low, and that's why his works are so accurate and detailed, but not every artist had that advantage—case in point.
This artist carved those woman's breasts as though they were declaring independence from the rest of her body. They might be jiggly and even saggy at times, but that's too much!
Here's Why the Tower of Pisa Leans
Have you ever wondered why the leaning tower of Pisa isn't straight? Here's a little history lesson for you. Back then, buildings like the tower took literally centuries to complete. That meant there had to be several, and that construction had to adapt to changes in the ground. The problem, in this case, was that the foundation became unstable, so it started tipping over. At least, that's the official version.
Maybe it's just a very polite building. Funny as it may be to think a tower could be aware, we believe that the first explanation is the true one.
You Had One Job, Steve
Whenever we visit a museum, we spend hours staring at the paintings. Some are so intricate that you always find something new in them, even if you've seen them a thousand times before. Hieronymus Bosch, for example, created massive paintings that were packed with odd and fascinating details. We're not sure if this one is one of Bosch's, but putting a tree on a curved ledge sounds like something he'd do.
Hey, it does look like a half-pipe. Did they have skateboards in the 14th century? The funniest part is that this painting is supposed to represent the conversion of St. Paul the Apostle.
He Knows Things
Have you ever stopped to look at how Medieval artists used to draw cats? If you never did, there's a mission for your next museum visit. We're being serious; those kitties look goofy as heck, and they are honestly a blast to see. As the centuries passed, they got more realistic, but some still maintained a bit of that cheekiness. Look at this smiling dog, for example.
Dogs fared better overall, but there are still some funny-looking little dudes out there. We'd much rather look at them than at all those stuffy royals and nobles.
How Air Fryer Fans Look Like
We'll be honest; we're tired of all our friends talking non-stop about how excellent their air fryer is. It's like a cult! Whatever happened to regular frying? You know, with oil. Sure, it's unhealthy and whatever, but why fix what isn't broken? Next thing we know, people will be frying up air and eating it, deluding themselves into thinking they're actually getting full with it like this sucker.
We can practically hear his thoughts: "Oooh, what lovely air I'm about to bite into, lucky me." A thick, juicy chicken thigh sounds a lot more appealing to us.
What Was He on?
Medicine has advanced so much in the past few years. People didn't even have antibiotics until after WWII; can you believe that? That's why some of the procedures old paintings and drawings depict might seem odd to us. However, some artists might have been drinking too much wine before getting to work because we've seen pretty nonsensical scenes adorning the walls of a few museums like this one.
Why is the horse inside the house? Is the dying man reaching over to pet it? Perhaps he was so sick that he started seeing things, and that's the scene the artists captured.
Betrayal!
All those videos of cute dogs and cats might have you thinking about adopting a pet. However, there's one thing humans have known for the entire time we've been on Earth: caring for them takes effort. It's not just vet bills and keeping them fed and happy. It's also satisfying their neediness. Believe us, if you ignore them, you'll find out how passive-aggressive dogs can be.
It's like the artist was thinking the same thing as whoever made the meme. Do you think they had a dog and knew how offended they get whenever you pet another one?
If This Isn't Relatable, Then What Is?
Art has a way of communicating all those things that we can't put into words. If you're ever feeling stuck, why not head to a museum? Then again, memes are pretty potent communicators too, so maybe you can surf the Internet for a while. Heck, why not split the difference and stay at home and look at art? That's what these classical art memes are for.
Isn't this one relatable? We know this more accurately represents what that Thanksgiving bickering is all about than any explanation we could think up. We're not looking forward to the holidays...
Oops, Someone's in Trouble
What are your pet peeves? Come on, we all have that one tiny thing that annoys us way more than it should. For us, it's people calling a food gross instead of saying they don't like it. It's like they're implying something's wrong with whoever does enjoy eating it, and we won't stand for that. It's pretty apparent what pushed this lady's buttons, and we must admit we can relate.
The problem isn't not being punctual; it's that if you promise to be somewhere at a particular time, you have to keep that promise. Maybe he should've said he'd arrive around seven.
The Nerve on This Guy
Don't you hate it when people get on their high horse and talk as though they've already gone through all the same problems as you have and know how to solve them? Well, news flash, people, the same solution doesn't apply to everyone. Ugh, it makes us so mad! That said, if we ever give you advice, you better follow it because we obviously know better. Even better than this guy.
Don't look so smug, you Benedict Cumberbatch wannabe. No, we're not going to stand here and let somebody tell us they're "more experienced" and "know better" about life.
A Visual Representation of Awkwardness
Are you one of those people who only communicate through memes? Or perhaps you're related to one? Look, we understand you. They're great at communicating what you feel straightforwardly and succinctly. Only if they share the same Internet codes as you do... Fortunately, we're here to offer you a few memes that the whole family can understand: classical art memes. You know, since the images speak for themselves.
This one's good, folks. After all, who hasn't been through the same? We've 100% made that face and felt that confused before. It's such an awkward feeling. How about you?
That Feeling When...
Ah, there's nothing better than getting into bed after a long day. Working all day is already tiring enough, but then you have to make dinner —and eat it— and do the dishes, take a bath, wash your face, put on a hydrating mask, toner, serum, moisturizer, etc. Oh, and clean your teeth. After all that, it's finally time to get under the covers. But then you realize something.
You forgot to turn off the kitchen lights, turn on the dishwasher, or do one of the million things one needs to do before bed. We completely understand the lady in the painting!
Hehe...
Try as we might, we can't control cats. We, humans, might've deluded ourselves into believing they're "domesticated," but in truth, they still do whatever they want. Did you tell them not to jump on the counters? Tough luck because they're going to do it anyway. Next time, keep the chicken breasts in the fridge. After all, cats have been doing the same for centuries. The only revenge we can get is this.
Making weird paintings and creating funny memes about them. This one stole a laugh from us! We wonder what felines did to this artist for them to give them such unflattering looks.
Kings Catfished People Too
Are you familiar with the concept of catfishing? It's basically making others believe you're someone you're not. Now that social media rules everything, it's much easier to dupe people because you can put off meeting in person. However, it's not a new phenomenon. People have been making themselves seem more good-looking than they are for centuries. How do you think the Habsburgs managed to get married and reproduce?
That was one ugly-looking family, and none were less attractive than poor Charles II of Spain! Yeah, he looked more like the portrait on the right, and that's his good side.
Sir, That's a See-Through Curtain
Don't you ever wish you could drop everything and spend a few weeks on a deserted beach with no phone signal or Internet? Sometimes we need a break, and being unreachable is the perfect excuse to avoid your problems for a little while. However, that's not realistic in this day and age because people will know you're ignoring their e-mails and texts. Someone will surely send you a meme like this.
Yeah, you're about as good as hiding from the world as this guy standing behind a see-through curtain. It's comforting to see even old-timey popes wanted to escape sometimes.
We'll Take "Middle Age Crisis" for $500
Back in the day, when the phrase "middle age crisis" was coined, people seemed to live happier because we're nowhere near 40 and have already gone through several crises. Does that mean we're meant to die at 50? We sure hope not... We'd like to ask the more experienced people reading this if you ever figure out life at some point. Then again, perhaps we should listen to this meme.
Should we resign ourselves to constantly living in crisis? That sounds exhausting. No wonder the lady looks so tired and defeated in the painting! Maybe it's time to start therapy.
Ooh, What's This? Can I Touch It?
We think museums would be so much more fun if people could touch the paintings. Look, we get why that's not possible. It would put the artwork at a higher risk of damage, and our fingers would degrade the paint, etcetera. That said, don't you ever look at a Van Gogh piece with its thick layers and wish you could feel them? What if we promised not to stick our fingers into any skulls?
We don't think we'd touch a human bone even without a "no touch" sign. What about you? Are you the type of person who puts their hands on everything?
Nothing Like Anxiety to Kick-Start Creativity
It's admirable how some people can finish tasks without anyone else establishing a deadline for them. That's not us at all. Unfortunately, we only get motivated to complete a job if someone sets a due date for it. Yes, that's where our inspiration comes from stress and anxiety: that and our need to be good students and do all the assignments on time. We're not unlike Francis here.
There's nothing like the pressure of a deadline to get those creative juices flowing. We know we're not alone in this, though. Most people need external motivations.
The Worst Way to Start the Day
The best part of going on vacation is not having to work. The second best part is not having to make the bed, but the third is getting to enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast! Being able to eat endless pancakes, scrambled eggs, and sausages is the type of fun we like to have. However, sometimes you get a hotel that doesn't live up to its promise.
Just thinking about waking up and going to the lobby excitedly, only to find out "free breakfast" meant bad coffee and something from a fruit bowl, made us sad.
Just Two Ladies Having a Goss Session
Is there something better than two girls being gals? You know, talking about life, gossiping, lifting each other up... Every lady needs a friend like that, even fictional ones. Unfortunately, when you go to a museum, you don't see all that many lady pals, at least not fully clothed. That's because you need to skip past all the Middle Ages and Renaissance stuff. Go straight to the late 19th century.
There are plenty of gossiping ladies in those halls, although they might seem less salty than these two. It doesn't matter. You can make up other interactions in your head.
Nothing Goes as Expected With Kids
Ah, having children is such a wonderful experience... At least that's what they want to make you believe. It only takes a few minor questions to discover it can be one of the worst experiences ever. Everyone excuses the lousy stuff by saying, "Oh, but seeing your child happy will make it all worth it." No, don't fall for the trap! See? Even classical meme makers know the truth!
The only thing you can be sure of when having kids is that nothing will go as you think. Hopefully, this meme will help adjust everyone's expectations.
Stop Exaggerating, Grandpa
Why do parents and grandparents sometimes act like everything was more challenging when they were young? Other times, they claim everything was better back in the day. Tell us, what are we supposed to believe? Was life harder or easier? If you want our opinion —which, admittedly, you probably don't— we say it was just as bad and just as good as it is now. It was just different.
If they lived in an urban environment anywhere between the 1960s and 1980s, they probably didn't have to ski to school. Besides, taking a bus can be more complicated than walking.
Just When the Meeting's About to End...
When companies realized that meetings could be done remotely, it improved millions of office workers' lives. However, it didn't stop them from having to sit through calls that could've quickly been resolved through an e-mail, so people still have to waste hours talking about things that go nowhere. Besides, there's always that one co-worker who asks a question at the worst possible time: when the meeting is ending.
Why do people still do that? We thought we'd all be on the same page and want to get back to work as soon as possible, but no.
A Mayan Code Is Easier to Crack
In the days before Internet existed, asking to borrow someone's house phone meant you were finally close enough for them to trust you and not to screw you over and make a thousand long-distance calls. Fortunately, we no longer have to worry about those things. The most someone can ask you now is the Wi-Fi password, which still comes with difficulties. Have you seen how long those can get?
Maybe cracking a Mayan riddle would be easier than ensuring all password characters are correct. The good news is that with newer phones, you can share it with a QR code.
Algebra Is the Work of the Devil
Maths can be fun... When you're in elementary school. Sums, subtraction, and multiplications; those are as easy as one plus one! Now, when it gets complicated is when you start mixing them together. Still, that's nothing compared to when they start sticking letters into the business. That's when things get genuinely confusing. How do you do a + 5? Seriously, algebra is so hard, that it's practically diabolical.
Wait... do you think the devil invented algebra to make life more complicated for humans? Our species is pretty good at complicating its existence already, so we doubt it.
We're All a Bit Weird Here
For someone to be weird, there must be a "normal," but what is normality? The way we see it, everybody's a bit odd, so it makes no sense to criticize others for what they like. Still, we don't think watching silent-era German films is a common hobby, so perhaps there are people with more unique tastes than others. You know, like donkeys living amongst a sea of chickens.
We're not trying to say that those who don't fit in are asses. They just march to their own beat... because they have four feet instead of two. And hooves.
That Looks Like a Fun Banquet
If there's one piece of advice we can offer, it's this: if you're about to go to a distant relative's house, don't mention liking any dishes in particular. If you do, they'll make it and ply you with a ton of food before they bring it out. Then, by the time the dosh you wanted rolls around, you'll be full but unable to refuse it because you mentioned wanting to try it.
Feel free to run out of the house if they offer you some stranger's severed head. It makes no sense to become a cannibal just because you want to be polite.
Don't Worry, You Look Lovely
It's a truth universally acknowledged that not everyone looks good in pictures. That's not how you expected that phrase to go, was it? Still, you have to admit we have a point. Some people have a bad habit of closing their eyes at the last second, so they always look possessed in photos. Then again, others don't know how to smile. Like this guy who looks positively glowing...
Posing for a portrait takes much more time than posing for a photograph, so he could've practiced his "Say cheese!" face throughout the process. Maybe smiling made his cheeks hurt too much.
Searching for a Missing Shoe Can Get Weird
We had to go out the other day but couldn't find the other shoe. You don't understand; we needed to wear that pair and that pair only. They couldn't be replaced, but no matter how much we searched, the second one was nowhere to be found. We got into the closet and looked under the table; nothing. Then, when we slid under the bed to check, it was like we'd been transported to another dimension.
Wait, that happens to other people as well? Or is this meme just not as relatable as we thought? We thought that if it got made, it meant the feeling was universal.
When a Painting Breaks the Fourth Wall
We love when characters break the fourth wall. What, you don't know what that means? It's when a fictional being from a book or a film suddenly addresses the audience, as though they were aware there was a real world beyond their fictional one. You know, like when Jim or Pam look into the camera in The Office. It seems that level of sentience has reached meme characters too.
Seriously, these things are achieving such levels of complexity that we almost can't keep up. Whoever made this meme knows that sometimes stating the obvious is funnier than any joke.
You're Really Blaming Me? But I'm Baby
Sometimes we wish we still had that young naivete that made us think mom would believe us if we lied about eating a Go-Gurt stick even though our mouths were covered in pink goo. Wouldn't it be great to have that sense of security still? Nowadays, if we make a mistake, there's no way to escape it. After all, it's not cute to lie as an adult.
Especially when you're being accused of something that was your fault. No matter how bad they might be, there's no choice but to own up to our mistakes.
Why Wasn't This in the Hammurabi Code?
If you own a cat, you may find this scene familiar. Someone rings the doorbell, and you run to see who it is. It turns out it's the delivery person bringing a package over. You open the door to receive it when something black and white suddenly dashes past you into the hall. Oh, no! The cat ran out. We bet that from then on, you made sure that wouldn't happen again.
That's why you probably look a lot like this statue of Hammurabi, which, curiously, is now in San Francisco. Even an all-powerful ruler had to deal with mischievous felines.
That's How We Show Love
Genuine friends don't mince words. They tell things to you straight and aren't afraid to be rough with you sometimes. In fact, many even have a unique way of expressing their love... mainly through violence. Why is it that it's so fun to slap your friends around? We're not advocating for senseless violence, but have you ever hit a mosquito off someone's leg with a bit too much force?
Look, it's an act of love, and apparently, the experience is a lot more universal than we thought. Just don't try to swat a wasp off a friend's back with a meat cleaver.