March 17

A child prodigy, Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre performed before Louis XIV at the age of five and won royal favor. She published her first harpsichord pieces and cantatas in her early twenties, establishing herself as one of France's leading composers. Jacquet de La Guerre composed the opera Cephale et Procris, one of the first by a woman performed at the Paris Opera. Her chamber music blends Italian virtuosity with French elegance, influencing later Baroque composers. She navigated the male-dominated world of 17th-century music, earning respect from contemporaries and patrons. Her innovative style and perseverance paved the way for women in classical composition.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry served as the court painter for King Louis XV and directed the Royal Gobelins Manufactory's tapestry cartoons. He gained fame for his exquisitely detailed depictions of hunting scenes, farm animals, and still lifes. Oudry's work combined naturalistic observation with Rococo elegance, influencing decorative arts across Europe. He published pattern books and engravings that spread his style to other artists and craftsmen. As a member of the Académie Royale, he held significant sway in artistic circles. Oudry's legacy lives on in museums and collections that showcase his fusion of artistic skill and scientific attention to detail.

Josef Rheinberger was born in Vaduz, Liechtenstein, in 1839 and showed prodigious talent at the piano and organ from a young age. He studied at the Munich Conservatory and later became court composer and organist for King Ludwig II of Bavaria. Rheinberger's organ sonatas, particularly his Op. 190 and Op. 154 series, remain staples of the repertoire for their technical brilliance and lyrical beauty. He composed over 200 works, including masses, motets, chamber music, and songs, often combining classical form with Romantic expressiveness. As a professor at the Munich Conservatory, Rheinberger taught students such as Engelbert Humperdinck and encouraged a new generation of musicians. He died in 1901, leaving a rich legacy as one of the nineteenth century's leading composers for organ and choir.

Kate Greenaway was a British author and illustrator born in London in 1846. She gained fame with her first book Under the Window, published in 1879, which featured her delicate watercolour drawings of children in idyllic garden settings. Her illustrations of charming children became cultural icons, influencing children's fashion and design in the late Victorian era. Greenaway's artwork was widely reproduced on greeting cards, porcelain, and textiles, making her style instantly recognizable. She was awarded a gold medal at the Paris Exposition of 1889. Throughout her career, she published numerous books and held exhibitions across Europe. Her legacy endures through the annual Kate Greenaway Medal, awarded to outstanding British children's illustrators. She died in 1901, leaving an indelible mark on children's literature and illustration.

Mikhail Vrubel was born in 1856 in Omsk, Russian Empire. He studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts and later embraced Symbolism under the influence of Leo Tolstoy and the Arts and Crafts movement. Vrubel's works, such as Demon Seated and his decorative panels for St. Vladimir's Cathedral in Kyiv, showcase his bold use of color and abstract forms. He experimented with ceramics, bronze, and mural painting, blending Byzantine iconography with a modern aesthetic. Vrubel's groundbreaking style positioned him as a forerunner of Russian Art Nouveau. Despite his artistic success, he suffered from mental health struggles later in life. He died in 1910, leaving behind a body of work that profoundly influenced Russian modern art.

Alcide Nunez (1884–1934) was an American clarinetist pivotal to the development of early jazz. Born and raised in New Orleans, he performed with local brass bands and street parades before joining professional ensembles. In 1917, Nunez recorded some of the earliest commercial jazz tracks with the Original Dixieland Jass Band. His expressive improvisations and robust tone helped define the clarinet’s role in jazz music. Nunez later toured across the United States and Europe, bringing New Orleans–style jazz to new audiences. His recordings remain a valuable window into the origins of an American musical tradition.

Harry Clarke (1889–1931) was an Irish artist and illustrator whose work became synonymous with the Celtic Revival. After training at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art, he opened his own studio specializing in stained glass and illustration. Clarke's expressive use of color and detail is exemplified in commissions like the Honan Chapel windows and the illustrations for Edgar Allan Poe. His illustrations combine Gothic influence with Art Nouveau aesthetics, creating hauntingly beautiful images. Despite his untimely death at 41, Clarke left a legacy that deeply influenced modern illustration and ecclesiastical art. Today, his works are exhibited in galleries and churches worldwide, admired for their technical mastery and emotive power.

Sayed Darwish (1892–1923) revolutionized Arabic music by blending traditional folk melodies with Western orchestration. He composed patriotic songs that fueled Egyptian nationalism in the early 20th century. Darwish wrote music for theater and the emerging Egyptian cinema. His works introduced colloquial Egyptian Arabic into art song, making music more accessible. Despite his early death at age 31, he left a legacy that shaped contemporary Arabic music. He is celebrated annually for his cultural impact on Egypt and the Arab world.

Lloyd Rees (1895–1988) was a renowned Australian artist whose career spanned over seven decades. He is best known for his vibrant watercolor and oil paintings of landscapes, especially the Blue Mountains and urban vistas. Rees studied at the National Gallery School in Melbourne and later became a leading figure in Australian art. His work evolved from impressionistic brushwork to more expressive and abstracted forms. Rees received the Order of Australia in 1984 for his contributions to the arts. His detailed sketches and diaries offer valuable insights into his creative process and the changing environment.

Alfred Newman (1900–1970) scored over 200 films during a career that defined the sound of classic Hollywood. He served as the music director at 20th Century Fox for more than two decades. Newman won nine Academy Awards and was nominated 43 times, a record for a composer. He composed the iconic 20th Century Fox fanfare, instantly recognizable worldwide. His scores blended symphonic tradition with cinematic drama, influencing generations of film composers. Newman's musical family dynasty included siblings and offspring who continued his legacy in the industry.

Chaim Gross (1904–1991) emigrated from Austria to the United States in 1921 and became a leading figure in American sculpture. He worked in wood, bronze, and stone, creating works celebrated for their rhythmic forms and humanist themes. Gross taught at the Educational Alliance Art School in New York, mentoring generations of artists. He co-founded the New School for Social Research's art program and lectured widely. His work is featured in major museum collections, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney. Gross authored books on sculptural techniques, sharing his expertise with the artistic community.

Born in 1916 in Holborn, London, Ray Ellington formed his quartet in the 1940s blending jazz, blues, and boogie-woogie. His band became known for tight arrangements and Ellington’s smooth vocals. He joined the cast of the BBC radio’s The Goon Show in 1951, providing musical interludes and satirical songs. Ellington broke racial barriers in British entertainment as one of the first prominent Black bandleaders on radio. He recorded several popular albums and toured internationally. His musical style influenced generations of jazz and popular musicians. Ellington died in 1985, leaving a legacy of innovation and crossover appeal.