April 05

Born around 1429 in Venice, Lazzaro Bastiani emerged as a leading figure of the Venetian school in the late 15th century. He collaborated with prominent artists such as Gentile Bellini and contributed to major public commissions, including works for the Scuola di San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica. His refined style combined luminous color and graceful figures, reflecting the evolving taste of early Renaissance art. Bastiani’s altarpieces and panel paintings were sought by patrons across northern Italy, showcasing devotional scenes and civic pageantry. He continued to paint into his later years, leaving a legacy that influenced subsequent generations of Venetian artists until his death in 1512.

Born in 1547 into a family of artists in Mantua, Diana Scultori honed her skill under the guidance of her father, the Mannerist sculptor Giovanni Battista Scultori. She established herself in Rome, where her delicate engravings reproduced works by masters such as Raphael and became sought after by collectors. Her signature, often including a pun on her surname, signified her pride in her craft at a time when few women were active in printmaking. Scultori’s prints covered religious subjects, classical motifs, and portraits, demonstrating both technical precision and artistic sensitivity. Her career challenged gender norms and paved the way for future generations of women artists until her death in 1612.

Born in 1555 in Osuna, Andalusia, Alonso Lobo became one of the leading figures of the Spanish Golden Age of music. He served as maestro de capilla at the cathedrals of Toledo and Seville, composing masses, motets, and lamentations characterized by expressive harmony and structural clarity. Lobo’s works combined the solemnity of the Spanish tradition with the refined textures of the Roman school, earning acclaim across Europe. His compositions were published in anthologies that circulated widely, influencing both contemporaries and successors. Lobo’s mastery of counterpoint and his sensitive treatment of text secured his reputation as a master of sacred polyphony. He died in 1617, leaving a lasting imprint on the Iberian musical landscape.

Roger de Piles (1635-1709) was a multifaceted figure in the French art world as a painter, engraver, diplomat, and critic. After training under Simone Cantarini and studying in Italy, he became an influential courtier and emissary in The Hague and Venice. His most famous work, 'Dialogue sur le coloris', passionately defended the primacy of color over line, sparking the 'color-versus-drawing' debate. He assembled a renowned art collection and authored treatises on perspective and painting techniques. His career also saw moments of controversy, including imprisonment in the Bastille for political intrigue. De Piles' writings remain an essential source for understanding Baroque aesthetics and the evolution of art criticism.

Jan Luyken (1649-1712) was a prolific Dutch poet and engraver whose works combined literary and visual artistry. His illustrated book 'Het Menselyk Bedryf' portrayed over eighty trades in meticulous detail, offering both social commentary and visual splendor. A devout Mennonite convert, Luyken produced religious poems and devotional illustrations that were widely read and admired. He ran a successful family printing workshop in Amsterdam, mentoring the next generation of engravers. His engravings set new standards for technical precision and expressive depth during the Dutch Golden Age. Luyken's legacy endures in the enduring popularity of his poems and prints, which continue to captivate collectors and scholars.

Jean Jouvenet was born in 1647 and became one of the foremost painters of the French Baroque period. A student of Charles Le Brun, he was later appointed Premier Peintre du Roi and led major decorative projects for the French court. His mastery of composition and dramatic lighting is evident in the frescoes at Notre-Dame Cathedral and the Palace of Versailles. Jouvenet's work is celebrated for its dynamic figures and emotional intensity, influencing the trajectory of religious art in France. He left a lasting legacy before his death in 1717, and his paintings remain key examples of Baroque religious iconography.

Johann Bernhard Fischer von Erlach was born in 1656 in Graz and became a pioneering figure of Austrian Baroque architecture. After studying in Rome, he returned to Vienna and created iconic landmarks such as the Karlskirche church and the Upper Belvedere Palace. In addition to his architectural achievements, he published influential treatises on the history of architecture, blending classical principles with innovative design. His work defined the visual character of Habsburg Vienna and inspired subsequent generations of architects. Fischer von Erlach also designed fountains, monuments, and sculptural decorations that exemplify the grandeur of Baroque art. He passed away in 1723, leaving behind a transformative architectural legacy.

Marc-Antoine Laugier, born in 1713, was a French Jesuit priest whose ideas transformed the discourse on architectural theory. In his seminal Essai sur l'architecture published in 1753, he introduced the concept of the primitive hut as the ideal model of architectural purity and harmony with nature. Laugier advocated for simplicity in design, arguing against excessive ornamentation and embracing structural clarity. His philosophical approach influenced the rise of Neoclassical architecture in Europe. He taught rhetoric and theology before dedicating himself to writing and criticism. Laugier died in 1769, and his theoretical contributions continue to resonate in architectural education.

Born in Harzgerode in 1715, Wille studied engraving in Leipzig before settling in Paris in 1737. He became engraver to the royal library and produced prints after works by masters like Rubens and Van Dyck. His precision and artistry earned him a position at the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. Wille trained a generation of engravers and influenced printmaking standards across Europe. He died in Paris on April 5, 1808, remembered for elevating engraving to a fine art.

Barend Cornelis Koekkoek, born in 1803, founded the Dutch Romantic school of landscape painting. He trained under his uncle and developed a style characterized by detailed foliage and luminous light. Koekkoek established his own studio and taught numerous students who carried on his artistic tradition. His works captured the serenity of forests and waterways, earning admiration across Europe. He also worked as an art dealer and curator in Amsterdam and Cleves. Koekkoek’s paintings remain celebrated for their poetic beauty and technical mastery.

Karel Purkyn, son of the famous anatomist Jan Purkyn, was born in 1834 and trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague. He became a central figure in introducing realism to Czech painting, focusing on intimate portraits and rural scenes. Purkyns use of light and color conveyed psychological depth, earning critical acclaim. He exhibited widely and influenced a generation of Czech artists. In addition to his paintings, he taught at the Prague School of Fine Arts, nurturing young talent. Purkyn died in 1868, remembered as a pioneer of modern art in the Czech lands.

Born in 1824 in Maine, Johnson studied art in Philadelphia and at the Düsseldorf Academy. He co-founded the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and served as its early trustee. Johnson’s works, like "The Old Stagecoach" and "Negro Life at the South", captured everyday American life. He traveled to England and painted portraits of Queen Victoria and members of the royal family. Praised for his realism and warm humanism, he was called the "American Rembrandt." As a member of the National Academy of Design, he influenced generations of American artists. Johnson’s legacy endures in his empathetic portrayals of 19th-century society.