Toys
February 14, 2022

Barbie: The History and Legacy of the World’s Most Famous Doll

There are few toys—and few fictional characters—as iconic as Barbie. To some, her plastic blonde locks and impossibly cinched waist are symbols of all the wrong messages society sends to young girls. To others, Barbie is an outlet for creativity—in fashion, careers, and role-playing the social scenarios of families and friends that children notice all around them. To the rest of the world, Barbie defies categorization—encompassing the good and the bad.

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Endangered Animals
February 14, 2022

Iceland Will Officially Ban Whale Hunting by 2024

Whaling is an ancient practice. Indigenous peoples have long hunted the giant marine mammals for food, blubber, and other resources. However, commercial whaling efforts to harvest blubber and baleen began in the 17th century and continued through the mid-20th century. By that time, wasteful over-hunting had pushed many species of whale close to extinction. Subsequent conservation efforts and the establishment of the International Whaling Commission (IWC) have since helped repair much of this damage.

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Renaissance Art
February 13, 2022

14 Facts About Leonardo da Vinci’s Incredible Life

From the Mona Lisa to the Vitruvian Man, so much of Leonardo da Vinci‘s artwork is iconic. The original Renaissance Man, Leonardo was not only a painter, but also a scientist, musician, engineer, and mathematician. Many of his scientific musings and theories were later discovered to have a basis in fact and his paintings have made an indelible mark on art history.

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Watercolor Painting
February 13, 2022

Enchanting Portraits Merge Enigmatic Subjects With Ornate Patterned Backgrounds

Enigmatic women become one with nature in the portrait paintings of Argentinian artist Sofia Bonati. She uses a combination of graphite pencils, watercolor, and gouache to render ethereal female figures in ornately patterned environments that are full of color and delicate details. “I enjoy capturing human emotions through figure paintings,” she tells My Modern Met. “I find it easier to express myself through this theme.

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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.