27 Timelessly Funny Classical Art Memes for Art History Majors

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Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor
Mar 12, 2026 7:00 AM EDT

Nothing like a centuries-old masterpiece turned meme to perfectly describe your #mood. You're welcome!

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  • 01
    The SAD leaving my body after the first 60 degree day
    via womenscircleonline
  • 02
    Artist: So how would you like to be painted, young lady? Girl With my favorite fish Artist: Are you sure? It might die- Girl: WITH MY FISH Artist....Oh okay Girl And also with this drink cat
    via themuffreport
  • 03
    "Dress for the job you want, not for the job you have" The job I want:
    via memieval.music
  • 04
    "Get an all-new Spring wardrobe " Me: 33 7- телбуроск
    via medievalistmatt

  • Honestly, you really don't even have to be an art history major to appreciate these memes. Sure, maybe you can't name the original artist of these pieces of art or from what masterpiece that painted character is from. But you can definitely understand wanting to be a rabbit that plays harp instead of sitting in an office 9-5. Am I right? Yes, yes, I am. And so are these classical art memes!

  • 05
    "You still going out tonight?" Me:
    via womenscircleonline
  • 06
    Medieval artist: "Yes, ofcourse I know what a horse looks like from the front." 16
    via thehistory.source
  • 07
    Aw yes, one of my favourite pieces of art from the Middle Ages. Jesus and Satan arguing at the bowling alley. Beautiful.
    via classicreelsmemes
  • 08
    Me as a kid asking for a puppy My mom saying no 1001 000 OOO [000] my mom asking for grandchildren Me saying no
    via boredpanda
  • 09
    When you tell your friend to look at the person behind them but don't make it obvious
    via classicreelsmemes

  • Is there really that big of a difference between a piece of creative human history and a meme? Is not a meme also a part of creative human history? So it's only natural that we, as humans, combine the two. We are always searching for meaning in everything, especially in art. And memes help give that art meaning. Is that meaning to make fun of how someone painted a horse, as they have never actually seen a horse? Maybe. But so what? We've always needed to laugh, and that goes for medieval times, too! 

  • 10
    @PhilosopherGames + CLASSICAL ART MEMES "Be mean to them on social media" -Sun Tzu, The Art of War 2
    via philosophergames
  • 11
    *receives salary* I should stick to my budget this month... My lord, are you not the master of chaos? The unstoppable force of nature? The world is ablaze, spend thy coin and spare no expense this day, for there is no promise of tommoro
    via classicalartshitposting
  • 12
    Everyone step back!! i'm doing a front flip
    via kindred.fineart
  • 13
    Me: I have to leave by 8:30 so I should start getting ready at 7:30 Me at 8:20
    via kindred.fineart
  • 14
    "I just find it funny how you said you don't know her but she's sending you hieroglyphs"
    via kindred.fineart
  • 15
    Yet another unrealistic body expectation for women 10A OCAC.COM
    via 9gag
  • 16
    When you're out for a nice meal with friends and some random guy at the next table starts painting you.
    via thehistory.source
  • 17
    Cheezburger Image 10613997568
    via doctordankdank
  • 18
    When it's finally the weekend, but now you have to do everything you've been putting off all week.
    via thehistory.source

  • Was art truly pivotal back in the day or are we just giving it a lot of meaning for no real reason? Maybe the artist was just in a silly goofy mood and wanted to paint Jesus and Satan bowling. Just to get some LOLs because we have always and will always desire laughter! Sure, sure, there is some factual history written down about the artist expressing this and that. But haven't you just done something cause you were in a silly goofy mood and then explained it to someone like it was much deeper than that? Yeah, don't lie. You totally have. Not we're just more upfront about it and we enjoy to be meme-ified. 

  • 19
    metoR @metorotem This is easily a 9/10 ocean. Social media has fried people's brains. Professor Amanda Vickery @Amanda Vickery Mar 9 "Mid ocean, mid winter", 1876. Oil on canvas. John Singer Sargent.
    via @metorotem
  • 20
    Me walking around any museum: they don't know I have an art history degree.
    via womeninthearts
  • 21
    How your email finds me:
    via womeninthearts
  • 22
    When Netflix freezes to ask if you're still watching and you see yourself reflected in the screen
    via clasycal
  • 23
    who the frick saw this and invented minimalism CARLD BEATO
    via taco.bout.memes
  • 24
    @punk_history When the meeting's almost over but one person keeps asking questions
    via punk_history

  • Maybe, to move away from AI slop, we start to paint our memes? Just like the medieval times! Then we can hang them all throughout the museums and have pivotal moments in creative history all through memes! Seriously, why hasn't there been a “Museum of Memes” yet? We could fill several of the largest museums full of noteworthy memes! 

  • 25
    I think his social battery ran out @punk_history
    via punk_history
  • 26
    Should I get therapy or revenge? @punk_history
    via punk_history
  • 27
    What a week, huh @punk_history It's Tuesday
    via punk_history

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Tags

humor classical art art history art history Memes comedy laughing funny
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