March 14

Ludwig Emil Grimm was a prolific painter and engraver known for his detailed portraits and illustrations. Born in 1790, he studied art in Kassel and later worked in Paris and Munich. His etchings captured folk costumes, landscapes, and the personalities of his time. He created portraits of his brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, documenting their scholarly legacy. Grimm's work appeared in literary journals and exhibitions across Germany. He influenced the visual interpretation of German Romanticism until his death in 1863.

Johann Strauss I was a leading composer and conductor in early 19th-century Vienna. Born in 1804, he built a popular dance orchestra that toured Europe. Strauss published dozens of waltzes, polkas, and marches that defined the Viennese style. His works, including the Radetzky March, remain staples of concert repertoires. He mentored his sons, including Johann Strauss II, who would achieve even greater fame. Strauss I's musical innovations helped establish the waltz as a European phenomenon until his death in 1849.

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Shields studied at the Government School of Design before moving to London, where he exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1856. He collaborated with stained glass manufacturers and designed murals, blending medieval aesthetics with a pre-Raphaelite sensibility. His illustrations for religious texts displayed delicate line work and vivid storytelling. A close associate of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, he helped revive tempera painting in England and taught at the South Kensington School of Art. Shields's work, prized for its spiritual intensity and technical finesse, remains an enduring example of Victorian artistry.

Born in Bern, Hodler overcame early personal tragedies to develop a distinctive artistic vision centered on harmony and repetition. He coined the term 'parallelism' to describe his rhythmic compositions, evident in works like 'The Chosen One' and 'Lake Geneva by Moonlight.' Hodler exhibited across Europe and influenced movements such as the Vienna Secession with his bold use of color and form. His portraits conveyed psychological depth, while his large-scale murals celebrated Swiss identity and nature. He taught at the School of Arts and Crafts in Basel, mentoring a generation of modern artists. Hodler remained active until his death in 1918, leaving a lasting impact on symbolist and modern art.

Reginald Marsh was an American artist celebrated for his dynamic portrayals of crowds, entertainment venues, and urban scenes. Born to a French-American family, he studied at the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design. Marsh's work captured the energy of Coney Island, burlesque shows, and the bustling streets of Manhattan. His realist style blended social commentary with bold compositions and meticulous draftsmanship. During the Great Depression, he produced murals for public works projects and illustrated magazines. Marsh taught at the Art Students League, influencing a generation of American painters. His paintings remain iconic records of 20th-century urban culture and popular entertainment.

Adolph Gottlieb was an American artist known for his role in the Abstract Expressionist movement. He studied under Hans Hofmann and co-founded the American Abstract Artists group in 1936. In the 1940s and 1950s, Gottlieb developed his signature pictograph and burst series of paintings. His work combined bold color fields with abstract symbols, exploring universal human experiences. Gottlieb also produced sculptures and prints, expanding his artistic vocabulary across media. He received numerous awards and his work is held in major museum collections worldwide. Gottlieb's innovations influenced generations of postwar American artists and modern art.

Ulvi Cemal Erkin was among the first generation of Turkish composers to integrate Western classical traditions with Turkish musical heritage. Born in 1906, he studied composition in Europe before returning to Turkey to teach at the Ankara Conservatory. His works include orchestral suites, sonatas, and chamber music reflecting national themes. Erkin played a key role in developing Turkey’s modern music education system. As an educator, he influenced generations of Turkish musicians. His compositions remain hallmarks of 20th-century Turkish classical music.

Akira Yoshizawa revolutionized origami by introducing new folding techniques and developing a standardized notation system, enabling the art form to spread globally. Born in 1911, he created over 50,000 original models and authored dozens of books on paper folding. His wet-folding method produced sculptures with soft, rounded forms, expanding the expressive potential of origami. Awarded the Order of Culture by the Japanese government, Yoshizawa’s designs inspired artists and hobbyists alike. He organized international exhibitions and taught origami in workshops around the world. His innovative spirit transformed a traditional craft into a recognized art form with profound cultural impact.

Les Brown formed his Band of Renown in the 1930s and achieved national fame with hits like 'Sentimental Journey', featuring vocalist Doris Day. Born in 1912, Brown’s ensemble became known for tight arrangements, smooth saxophone solos, and engaging stage presence. During World War II, the band toured extensively with the USO, boosting troop morale. After the war, Brown continued to lead the band through radio, television, and live performances for decades. His collaborations spanned jazz, pop, and film music. Celebrated for longevity and adaptability, Les Brown’s career helped bridge the big band era with modern popular music.

Born in 1914, Lee Hays became a leading figure in the American folk music revival. As a co-founder of The Weavers, he arranged and performed traditional and protest songs that resonated across social movements. Hays co-wrote classics like "If I Had a Hammer" and used his music to advocate for civil rights and economic justice. Despite being blacklisted during the McCarthy era, his commitment to activism and cultural heritage endured. His legacy lives on in the enduring folk traditions he helped popularize.

Born in 1915, Alexander Brott was a prominent figure in Canadian classical music. A gifted violinist, he served as concertmaster of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra and founded the McGill Chamber Orchestra. As a composer, Brott created works ranging from chamber pieces to symphonic scores, blending modernist elements with lyrical melodies. He taught at McGill University for decades, influencing generations of musicians. Brott's leadership and creative output played a key role in establishing Canada's cultural identity on the world stage.

Hank Ketcham, born in 1920 in Seattle, launched "Dennis the Menace" in 1951. The mischievous boy's adventures quickly became a global phenomenon, appearing in over 1,000 newspapers and spawning television shows and films. Ketcham received the Reuben Award for his work and founded an animation studio to bring his characters to the screen. His crisp, lively drawing style and heartwarming humor captured the joys and challenges of childhood. Dennis the Menace remains one of the most enduring comic strips in history.