History

April 9, 2025

Sunlight Forms a Heart Inside This Couple’s Mausoleum, Symbolizing Their Eternal Bond

Many believe that true love transcends even death—an idea beautifully embodied in the mausoleum of Léonce Evrard and his wife, Louise Flignot. Designed by architect George de Larabrie and situated at the entrance of Laeken Cemetery in Brussels, the neoclassical chapel constructed in 1920 features a poignant sculpture of a mourner reaching out in grief.

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March 16, 2025

Trendy, Pointy Shoes From the Middle Ages Confirm the Old Adage That Beauty—or at Least Fashion—Is Pain

In a world driven by efficiency and optimization, how often do we hear “fashion over function” nowadays, instead of the other way around? Such was the case in the Middle Ages, where trends dominated, especially amongst the nobility and the upper crust. An extremely long and pointy–not to mention uncomfortable–shoe called the poulaine falls into this category, showing us that the trend cycle is nothing new, if not less uncomfortable today.

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February 23, 2025

Discover How Japanese Swordsmiths Transform Sand Into Legendary Katanas

From ukiyo-e prints to origami, Japan boasts an astounding range of traditional artforms. One such artform is swordsmithing, a tedious process in which swords such as the legendary katana are made. What renders their construction so labor-intensive is that these swords are, perhaps counterintuitively, composed of sand. Alongside countries like New Zealand, Indonesia, and the United States, Japan is one of several regions in which iron sand can be found.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.