Author: Steve Melcher

Hendrik van der Burgh, Dutch

“Great Moments in Phallic Faucetry” (Exhibit #17), Between 1825-27

Oil on panel

Eduard Charlemont, Austrian

“Well Harriet, It Appears My Services Won’t Be Needed Around Here Anymore. Master Winthorpe Has Gone and Bought Himself One of Those New-Fangled Alarm Clocks,” 1889

Oil on panel

André Brouillet, French

“If I May Take the Liberty of Finishing Her Sentence, I Believe What Miss Perkins Was in the Midst of Telling You Gentlemen Is That She Is a Narcoleptic,” 1887

Oil on canvas

Rose-Adélaïde Ducreux, French

“I’ve Got a Riddle For You: How Did the Woman With No Musical Training Land a Job As a Harpist? She Pulled a Few Strings! (Thanks, I’ll Be Here All Concerto,”) 1791

Oil on canvas

Josef Gisela, Austrian

“I’ll Take the Chiefs To Win. Oh, and What’s the Over/Under on Taylor and Travis Making Heart Hands At Each Other During the Game?,” ca. 1888

Oil on panel

Pieter Quast, Dutch

“Seriously, Bro? I Can’t Believe You Fell For the Old Rattlesnake-On-The-Outhouse Toilet Seat Prank AGAIN,” ca. 1635

Oil on panel

Jan van Beers, Belgian

Fish Market Con Artists Fleecing a Mark With a Game of Three-Cod Monte, Date Unknown

Oil on panel

Émile Villa, French

“Oh, Great. That Stupid Woman at the Register Forgot To Remove the Plastic Security Thingy,” Date Unknown

Oil on canvas