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
June 28, 2021

Girl With a Pearl Earring: Unraveling the Mysterious Masterpiece of the Dutch Golden Age

In the 17th century, the Netherlands experienced a period of artistic prosperity known as the Dutch Golden Age. During this era, enlightened artists found inspiration in Northern Renaissance painting techniques, culminating in masterpieces like Girl With a Pearl Earring by Johannes Vermeer. Known as the “Mona Lisa of the North,” this painting represents the best of Dutch art. Though Girl With a Pearl Earring is shrouded in mystery (much like its Leonardo da Vinci counterpart)

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Art History
May 3, 2021

The Madonna and Child: How the Divine Duo Has Inspired Artists for Centuries

Images of the Madonna and Child—a title that typically denotes a visual representation of the Virgin Mary and her infant son, Jesus—are among painting's most praised motifs. Originally an ancient devotional practice stemming from biblical beliefs, artistically representing these figures has become a central theme in the canon of art history.

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Modern Art
February 18, 2021

Augusta Savage: How a Black Art Teacher and Sculptor Helped Shape the Harlem Renaissance

In the early 20th century, a remarkable renaissance emerged in Harlem. On the historic heels of the Great Migration, a mass exodus of over six million African Americans fleeing the segregated South, the New York City neighborhood became a cultural hub for Black creatives. While a wealth of figures formed this “golden age” of art, music, and literature, the contributions of sculptor Augusta Savage can be found at its core.

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Art History
July 19, 2020

Immerse Yourself in the Long-Running Tradition of Bathers in Art

For centuries, artists have drawn endless inspiration from the humble bather. Whether washing in a tub, in a basin, or at the sink, the bathing figure has popped up in art since ancient times, culminating in a muse that appears to float above the rest. In order to understand why such a seemingly simple subject has had such a long-running history, it's important to trace its artistic evolution.

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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.