https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Ducreux
So, he was a multi-talented artist who worked under the 'fat boy'* and somehow managed to survive the bloody French Revolution, alongside his colleague David.
* one of Louis XVI's most notorious nicknames
My understanding is that he was meticulously-trained as an artist, and generally-speaking, did thoroughly professional work... until he had his personal time, in which he decided to 'boogie on down with his bad self,' as we once used to say in the States. I think. XD
But wait, there's more! I understand that some of his pics recently turned in to a sort of cottage-industry of memes. Behold:
EDIT: Alright, alright, here's a couple of those decoded. Most are rap-themed, I think?
#2 They see me rollin', they hatin' (Ridin song reference)
#7 STOP, it's hammer-time (MC Hammer song ref)
Haha, I guess I missed it by a matter of eras.
I was big-time in to rap in the late 80's and early-90's, and never saw this meme, even on the early WWW or via BBS's at the time. Later, when I went full-time internet around 10-15yrs later, I still didn't see it, then.
Ducreux, you stealthy-ass mofo..!!