The Week's Best Classical Art Memes for High Brow Chucklers (November 12, 2023)

JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor

Nov 12, 2023 12:00 PM EST

One of my favorite pieces of art is Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, the 1942 painting of patrons at a diner on an empty city street. It's beautifully moody and evocative, and you can imagine the subjects' stories vividly, even though on the surface, so little information is given. I always like to imagine that the couple seated at the counter has just broken up, but they're still lingering in the aftermath because they're not quite ready to say goodbye yet. I also imagine that the server has overheard their whole conversation and has opinions.

That's the wonderful thing about art, and what makes it perfectly suited for memes. The best artists give enough detail to intrigue, but leave the door open to interpretation, so it can transcend time and space. That's why a portrait from the 17th century can turn into a relatable treatise on dating app culture, just with the addition of a caption.