March 16

He wrote numerous hymns that were set to music by prominent composers of the Protestant church. His devotional poetry emphasized personal faith and biblical themes, resonating with congregations across Germany. He was active during the Thirty Years' War, bringing spiritual comfort through his works amid conflict and hardship. His hymns appeared in many hymnals and contributed to the development of German Protestant hymnody. Little is known about his personal life, but his musical legacy endured beyond his death. He died in 1667, remembered for enriching early Baroque church music.

Agostino Mitelli was a prominent Italian Baroque painter of the 17th century. He specialized in quadratura, creating illusionistic frescoes that adorned churches and palaces. His innovative use of perspective and architectural illusion set new standards for ceiling decorations. Mitelli worked extensively in Bologna and collaborated with fellow artists on large-scale projects. His elegant compositions earned recognition among aristocratic patrons. Through his teachings, he influenced a generation of artists who continued the tradition of decorative fresco painting.

Georg Neumark was a 17th-century German poet and composer of sacred hymns. He studied law and theology before dedicating himself to music. His most famous hymn, 'Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten,' remains part of the Protestant repertoire. Neumark served as a church musician in various German cities. His poetry and melodies combined lyrical expression with devotional depth. His works influenced later hymn writers and continue to be sung today.

Johann Heinrich Meyer was a Swiss artist and writer influential in the Weimar Classicism movement. He studied painting and art history before becoming a close friend and correspondent of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Meyer served as director of the Weimar Princely Free Drawing School and wrote extensively on art theory and criticism. His essays combined practical artistic insights with literary elegance, shaping contemporary aesthetics. Meyer produced both landscapes and portrait works that reflected classical ideals. His multidisciplinary work bridged visual art and literature during a pivotal period in German cultural history.

Jean-Frédéric Waldeck was a French antiquarian and explorer who traveled to the Americas in the early 19th century. He produced detailed illustrations and maps of ancient Mayan sites, contributing to early knowledge of Mesoamerican civilizations. Waldeck’s work blended artistic flair with archaeological observation, though some of his reconstructions were later debated for historical accuracy. He published books on his findings that fascinated European audiences with exotic imagery and ancient myths. Beyond archaeology, Waldeck engaged in antiquarian studies in Egypt and Europe. His legacy lies in the visual documentation that inspired future generations of archaeologists and explorers.

Antoine-Jean Gros was a prominent French artist associated with the transition from Neoclassicism to Romanticism. He trained under Jacques-Louis David and gained fame for his large-scale paintings of Napoleonic campaigns, such as the Battle of Eylau. Gros’s use of vivid color, dynamic composition and human emotion marked a departure from classical restraint. His works captured both heroism and suffering on the battlefield, influencing later Romantic painters. He also taught a generation of artists and held important academic positions. Gros’s art remains a testament to the era’s turbulent history and the evolving role of art in political propaganda.

Born in Tonbridge, Kent in 1799, Atkins was the daughter of a scientist and developed an early interest in natural history. She mastered the cyanotype process developed by her friend Sir John Herschel and applied it to botanical specimens. In 1843 she self-published Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions, the first book illustrated with photographic images. Atkins meticulously documented hundreds of plant species, combining scientific rigor with artistic composition. Her work bridged the fields of botany and photography, paving the way for nature photography. Atkins is now recognized as one of the first female photographers and a pioneer of scientific illustration.

Born in Ghent in 1806, De Vigne studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp. He gained recognition for his richly detailed paintings of medieval and Renaissance subjects. De Vigne co-founded the Maetschappij voor Geschiedenis en Oudheidkunde, promoting the study of local history and art. As a professor, he influenced a generation of Belgian artists through his teachings and lectures. He also wrote scholarly works on medieval art and collected artifacts for public museums. De Vigne’s dedication to both creating and preserving art helped shape Belgium’s cultural heritage.

Born in Rome in 1820, Enrico Tamberlik quickly rose to fame for his dramatic tenor roles in the Italian repertory. His robust, ringing voice and charismatic performances made him a favorite at La Scala, the Paris Opéra, and stages across Europe. Tamberlik was renowned for roles such as Radamès in Verdi's 'Aida' and the title role in Donizetti's 'Dom Sébastien.' He toured extensively, bringing Italian opera to new audiences in Russia and the Americas. A trusted interpreter of bel canto masterpieces, his legacy influenced generations of tenors. He passed away in 1889, with contemporary accounts celebrating his artistry and dramatic flair.

Born in 1822 to an artistic family, Rosa Bonheur defied gender norms to become one of the most celebrated artists of the 19th century. She specialized in animal subjects, capturing horses, cattle, and other creatures with exceptional realism and vitality. Her 1852 painting 'The Horse Fair' earned her international acclaim and was purchased by the French state. Bonheur often dressed in men's attire to gain admission to livestock markets, securing a rare cross-dressing permit. She received the Légion d'honneur in 1865, the first woman to be so honored. Bonheur died in 1899, leaving behind a legacy of artistic excellence and feminist inspiration.

Born in 1823, William Henry Monk trained as a church organist and quickly gained recognition for his musical talent. In 1861, he became choirmaster at King's College London, where he honed his skills in hymnody. Monk's 1861 arrangement of 'Abide with Me' to his tune 'Eventide' remains one of the most beloved hymns in the Anglican tradition. As musical editor of the landmark hymnbook 'Hymns Ancient and Modern,' he shaped congregational singing across the English-speaking world. His melodic compositions and keen editorial judgment contributed to a revival of church music in the 19th century. Monk passed away in 1889, leaving a lasting influence on sacred music.

Born in County Sligo, John Butler Yeats was a self-taught artist who became renowned for his striking portraits of literary and artistic contemporaries. He spent time in London and Paris, absorbing diverse artistic influences that shaped his evolving style. His works capture both the likeness and the inner character of subjects such as Oscar Wilde and his son, W.B. Yeats. John’s later paintings adopted more impressionistic brushwork, reflecting the shifting art trends of his time. Although he faced financial struggles, his dedication to art enriched Irish cultural heritage. He died in 1922, leaving behind a significant body of work.