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.
Architecture
August 21, 2018

This Exquisite “Underground Cathedral” Has Been Carved Entirely Out of Salt

When you imagine places of worship, traditional structures like Gothic churches, colorful mosques, and dazzling Buddhist temples likely come to mind. If you've ever visited Wieliczka, Poland, however, you know that not all holy buildings follow this formula. In fact, some—like the the “underground cathedral” in the Wieliczka Salt Mine—aren't buildings at all! Nestled over 1,000 feet below the Polish town, this subterranean shrine dates back to the Middle Ages.

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Creative Products
August 13, 2018

“Painting with Bob Ross” Book Teaches Readers How to Paint Like the Legendary Artist

Late American artist and television host Bob Ross has inspired artists with his can-do approach to painting for nearly 40 years. During the 11-year run of The Joy of Painting, an instructional painting program, the pop culture icon taught viewers of all skill levels how to pick up a paintbrush with confidence. Now, in addition to these popular video tutorials, Ross' fans and followers can find artistic inspiration in the new book, Painting with Bob Ross.

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Inspiring
August 9, 2018

Man Spends 40 Years Planting a Tree on Barren Island Every Day, Now It’s a Giant Forest

In 1979, Jadav Payeng—a then-16-year-old resident of Assam, India—made a startling discovery: several dead snakes scattered along the sandy banks of the Brahmaputra River's Majuli Island. Having been displaced by flooding, the creatures were then killed due to the island's lack of shade. This gruesome sight resonated strongly with Payeng, inspiring him to act. “When I saw it, I thought even we humans will have to die this way in the heat,” he told NPR.

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Art History
July 29, 2018

The Significance of Manet’s Large-Scale Masterpiece ‘The Luncheon on The Grass’

French artist Édouard Manet played a prominent role in the art scene of 19th-century Europe. Working in a unique style, Manet bridged the gap between two major art movements: Realism and Impressionism. One piece that illustrates this distinctive approach is The Luncheon on the Grass (“Le déjeuner sur l'herbe“), a large-scale painting that has become one of Manet's—and modern art‘s—most famous works.

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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.