You may recall the distracted boyfriend meme, also known as the jerk boyfriend meme, of 2017 (ah yes, yesteryear).

The image portrayed a man checking out a woman while holding the hand of his disgusted girlfriend.

A shrewd Tweeter, slash possible art enthusiast, has now found the '18th-century equivalent' of the meme.

 

The image comes from a 1761 painting by English artist Joshua Reynolds, depicting his friend and actor, David Garrick, caught between two women who are supposed to symbolize Comedy and Tragedy.

The likeness is uncanny, and now it’s inspiring memes all its own.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Via Twitter