March 01

Born in 1629 into the renowned Teniers family of artists in Antwerp, Abraham trained under his father. He specialized in lively genre paintings featuring peasants at fairs, taverns, and rural festivities. Teniers's work is noted for its bright palette, detailed landscapes, and subtle humor. He became a member of the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1650 and gained patrons across Europe. His scenes influenced Dutch and Flemish genre painting traditions and were widely engraved. Teniers collaborated with his brother David, creating series that remain treasured by collectors today. He died in 1670, leaving a legacy as one of the leading genre painters of the Baroque era.

Born in 1810 near Warsaw, Frédéric Chopin displayed prodigious talent as a pianist and composer from a young age. He studied at the Warsaw Conservatory before relocating to Paris in 1831, where he became a central figure in the Romantic music scene. Chopin's innovative compositions—including nocturnes, études, and piano concertos—expanded the expressive capabilities of the piano and influenced generations of musicians. He maintained a close relationship with the writer George Sand and hosted salons attended by leading artists. Plagued by ill health, he died in 1849, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most beloved composers of the 19th century.

Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was a pioneering English architect whose work defined the Gothic Revival style in the 19th century. He studied medieval architecture and applied its principles to modern buildings, championing authenticity in design. His most famous collaboration was on the Palace of Westminster, where he created interiors and fittings that remain iconic examples of Victorian Gothic. Pugin also published influential books and engravings illustrating medieval architecture, inspiring other architects and designers. His career, though cut short by ill health, left a lasting legacy on ecclesiastical and civic architecture in Britain.

Giovanni Duprè was a leading Italian sculptor of the 19th century who blended Romantic and Realist styles to evoke deep emotion. He studied under Lorenzo Bartolini and quickly gained fame for his skillful portraits and religious subjects. As an educator, he held professorships at academies in Florence and Siena, influencing a generation of artists. His works, including the Monument to Balbo and the statue of Dante, are celebrated for their lifelike detail and emotional resonance. Duprè's legacy endures in museums and public monuments across Italy.

Nikolaos Gyzis was born in Tinos, Greece, and became one of the most celebrated painters of the Munich School. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and later taught there, blending classical techniques with romantic and symbolist elements. Gyzis produced allegorical works such as The Secret School of Rigas and genre scenes depicting Greek rural life. His mastery of color and composition made him a leading figure in European art circles. In 1888, he returned to Athens to teach at the School of Fine Arts, influencing Greek art education for decades.

Augustus Saint-Gaudens was one of America's preeminent sculptors during the Gilded Age. Born in Ireland and raised in the United States, he trained in Paris before returning to New York, where he created iconic works such as the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial in Boston. Saint-Gaudens was known for his refined craftsmanship, dramatic compositions, and skill in relief sculpture. His designs also appeared on U.S. coinage, including the $20 Double Eagle. As an academic, he mentored younger artists and contributed to the City Beautiful movement. His legacy is seen in public monuments and in his influence on American sculpture.

Alexander Golovin was a Russian artist whose career spanned painting, illustration, and theatrical design. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture and in Paris, where he embraced Symbolist influences. Golovin designed sets and costumes for Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, bringing innovative color schemes and shapes to the stage. His theatrical work blended fine art and performance, contributing to early modernist theater. Golovin later taught at art schools in Moscow and Saint Petersburg, shaping future generations of Russian artists. His legacy endures in his paintings and iconic stage designs.

Oskar Kokoschka was born in Pöchlarn, Austria, in 1886 and emerged as a leading figure in Expressionism with his bold, dynamic portraits and landscapes. His early work captured the psychological depth of his subjects through distorted forms and vivid colors. During World War I, he served in the Austrian army, an experience that deepened his artistic vision. In 1919, Kokoschka experimented with drama, writing plays such as 'Murderer, the Hope of Women' that broke theatrical conventions. Fleeing the rise of Nazism, he relocated to the United Kingdom in 1938, where he continued to paint and teach. His legacy spans painting, literature, and theater, making him a versatile and influential modern artist.

Theresa Bernstein was born in Kraków, Poland, in 1890 and immigrated to the United States as a child. She studied art in New York City and became associated with the Ashcan School, capturing dynamic street scenes and social realism. Bernstein exhibited alongside artists like Edward Hopper and Diego Rivera, earning acclaim for her bold use of color and light. In addition to her painting, she authored memoirs and articles reflecting on a century of cultural change. Her career spanned over 100 years, and she continued to paint into her 110s, celebrating longevity and creativity. Bernstein’s work provides a vivid chronicle of American urban life across the decades.

Born in Athens in 1896, Dimitri Mitropoulos studied piano in Frankfurt and quickly gained recognition as a concert soloist. He became music director of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra and later the New York Philharmonic, bringing innovative programming to American audiences. Known for his passionate interpretations and improvisational flair, he championed contemporary composers like Bartók and Schoenberg. His recordings and premieres introduced modern works to a broad public. Mitropoulos also composed orchestral pieces that reflected his deep musical insight. He passed away in 1960, leaving a rich legacy of performances and compositions.

Born in 1904, Glenn Miller rose to fame as a trombonist and arranger before forming the Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1938. His signature sound—characterized by a clarinet-led reed section over four saxophones—redefined big band music. Miller’s recordings, including 'Moonlight Serenade,' 'Chattanooga Choo Choo,' and 'In the Mood,' dominated the charts and became wartime staples. During World War II, he led the Army Air Force Band, boosting Allied morale through broadcasts and live performances. Miller disappeared over the English Channel in 1944, but his innovative style remains the hallmark of the swing era.

Born in 1909, Winston Sharples began as a theater organist before joining Fleischer Studios in the 1930s. He composed iconic themes for cartoon characters like Popeye, Betty Boop, and Superman, helping to define the sound of early animation. His lively, rhythmic scores brought cartoons to life and influenced future generations of film composers. Later, Sharples worked with Paramount’s animation division, expanding his repertoire. He continued composing for animated shorts until his death in 1978, leaving a memorable legacy in the world of cartoon music.