Illustration
July 9, 2023

Learn About J.C. Leyendecker, the Illustrator Who Defined Men’s Style in the Early 20th Century

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, illustrators were celebrities. They were household names. It might sound strange today, but consider an illustrator's role in society; this was before photographs were routinely used in magazines and newspapers, so illustrators were the ones who helped define the visual culture at that time. Of the illustrators with immense cultural influence, J.C. Leyendecker was at the top.

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Archeology
July 8, 2023

2,700-Year-Old Petroglyphs Are Discovered Under Moss in Sweden

Cave art records the adventures of early humans—whether it be hunting beasts, building boats, or making handprints on the walls. It can also tell archeologists a lot about the economies and beliefs of Bronze Age communities. While this art form mainly died out after the invention of writing, a late example from 2,700 years ago has just been discovered on a farm in Sweden.

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Art History
July 7, 2023

The Fascinating History of “Paint-by-Numbers” Kits

You probably remember “Paint-by-Numbers” kits from your childhood, but do you know the history of how they came to be? A mix between a coloring book and painting on a canvas, painting by numbers allows anyone to create a detailed work of art, even if they’ve never taken an art class. The simple art sets were first invented in the 1950s and they still remain popular for both kids and adults today.

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Technology
July 7, 2023

AI Visualizes Barbie Dolls Based on Each of the 50 U.S. States

Thanks to the upcoming movie, Barbie has been on everyone's mind lately. So much so that Taylor Owens from BuzzFeed was inspired by the Mattel doll when creating a new AI image series. After taking a look at how AI imagines an average person from every U.S. state, BuzzFeed is now exploring what a Barbie representing every state looks like. A lot of the choices seemed to be based on climate, which determines Barbie's clothing.

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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.