Author: Steve Melcher

Ángel Zárraga, Mexican

Ballerina Rehearsing Her Part in “The Nudecracker,” 1907

Oil on canvas

Paul Charles Chocarne-Moreau, French

“Nice Try, But I Know This Scam. You Pretend I Caused Your Accident and Then Sue Me For All My Dough,” Date Unknown

Oil on canvas

Józef Simmler, Russian-Polish

“Okay, Now Let’s Try a Pose Where You’re Stretching Before the Clothing-Optional Heat of the Ironman Triathlon,” ca. 1841-42

Oil on panel

Suzanne Valadon, French

When You Said You Knew a Smokin’ Model I Could Paint, This Isn’t What I Thought You Meant, 1923

Oil on canvas

Almeida Junior, Brazilian

“What Would You Rather Hear? Some Johann Se-Boobs-Tian Bach or Rack-Maninoff?,” 1882

Oil on canvas

Circle of Ambrosius Holbein, German

Ptolemy Accepting the Golden Globe For Best Treatise — Astronomy or Mathematics, ca. 1494-1519

Oil on canvas

John Trumbull, American

Self-Portrait After Four Cups of Espresso, 1793

Oil on canvas

Carl von Bergen, German

“You Know, Boys, I Only Paid Half-Price For This Sucker. That’s Right. It Was a Sale Boat! (I’ll Show Myself Out.),” Date Unknown

Oil on canvas

John Sloan, American

“This Summer…Meryl Streep is a CIA Agent Who’s Been Hung Out To Dry. Now, If She Wants To Come Clean, She’s Going To Have To Put It All On the Line, IN…’The Washerwoman.’ Playing at a Laundromat Near You!,” 1915

Oil on canvas

Jean Béraud, French

Five Thousand Dollars Later, Brenda Had a Sneaking Suspicion That That Guy Who Sold Her Front-Row Season Tickets To the Art Museum Might Have Been a Scammer, Date Unknown

Oil on canvas