Posts by Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou

Kelly Richman-Abdou was a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met. An art historian living in Paris, Kelly was born and raised in San Francisco and holds a BA in Art History from the University of San Francisco and an MA in Art and Museum Studies from Georgetown University. When she’s not writing, you can find Kelly wandering around Paris, whether she’s leading a tour (as a guide, she has been interviewed by BBC World News America and France 24) or simply taking a stroll with her husband and two tiny daughters.
Art History
February 9, 2020

How “La Belle Époque” Transformed Paris Into the City We Know and Love Today

When you think of Paris, its illustrious landmarks likely come to mind. While some of these monuments date all the way back to the Middle Ages, many of them were constructed during La Belle Époque. Emerging in the late 19th century, this “golden age” saw the construction of icons ranging from the emblematic Eiffel Tower to the city's sinuous metro entrances.

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Post-Impressionism
January 29, 2020

Tracing Van Gogh’s Life Through 5 of His Most Significant Self-Portraits

Did you know that Vincent van Gogh‘s artistic career lasted only a decade? This may be surprising, given the Dutch painter's prolific body of work; he completed at least 39 self-portraits alone. In addition to offering us a glimpse of the artist's appearance, these pieces trace the trajectory of his life, from his decision to pursue painting to his tragic battle with mental illness. Here, we explore 5 of Van Gogh's most significant self-portraits.

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Art History
January 16, 2020

Meet Theo van Gogh: Vincent’s Younger Brother and One of History’s Most Important Art Dealers

As a pioneer of Post-Impressionism, Vincent van Gogh is one of art history's most well-known figures. Though the artist did not see much success during his short career, his work has attained ample attention since his death in 1890. Who was behind his posthumous fame? Arguably, it can be attributed to his younger brother, Theo, an important art dealer who introduced the modern art world to Vincent's prolific portfolio.

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Art
October 26, 2019

Delicate Nature Collages Held Together by Thread Reflect a Time of “Ecological Mourning”

Collage artist Jennifer Murphy is inspired by interconnectedness. While this interest informs much of her work, it is particularly evident in The Shadow of Sirius, a series of delicate nature collages comprising flora and fauna cut-outs held together by thread. “Wedding the specimens of the naturalist with the visions of the fantasist,” these eye-catching pieces explore our real-life environment through a surreal lens.

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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.