Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Art History
October 29, 2023

Hokusai’s Book of 19th-Century Woodblock Prints Celebrates Japanese and Chinese Warriors

The definition of a hero ranges widely depending on the place, time, and who you ask. For children, it might be their mom, a firefighter, or an athlete. In nineteenth-century Japan, warriors were idolized, inspiring the book Wakan ehon sakigake. Translated as “Picture Book of Chinese and Japanese Warriors,” this stunning work was illustrated by the Japanese Edo-period artist Katsushika Hokusai.

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Architecture
October 10, 2023

Gaudí’s Unfinished Masterpiece ‘La Sagrada Família‘ Is Nearing Completion

Above the skyline of Barcelona rise high spindly towers. The basilica known as la Sagrada Família has many of the hallmarks of classic gothic architecture, which could lead some unsuspecting viewers to believe it is medieval in origin. However, this many-towered house of worship is actually a modern masterpiece still under construction 141 years after its 1882 groundbreaking.

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Birds
September 29, 2023

The Maine Puffin Population Is Making an Unexpected Comeback

Atlantic Puffins are easily recognizable with their white bellies and jet black “coats,” highlighted by bright red beaks. These adorable birds, known scientifically as Fratercula arctica, frolic over coastal lands from Maine to Eastern Canada, from Iceland to Scotland. Sadly, like many species, their numbers rapidly declined in the 19th century due to humans collecting their eggs and hunting the adult birds.

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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.