April 07

Doménikos Theotokópoulos, better known as El Greco, was born in Crete in 1541. He trained in the post-Byzantine tradition before moving to Venice and Rome, absorbing influences from Titian and Tintoretto. In 1577, he settled in Toledo, Spain, where he developed his distinctive style characterized by elongated figures and bold colors. His notable works include 'The Burial of the Count of Orgaz', 'View of Toledo', and numerous religious paintings. El Greco's work was largely unappreciated after his death in 1614 but was rediscovered and celebrated by 20th-century artists such as Cézanne and Picasso. His innovative approach to form and color has made him a pivotal figure in the history of Western art.

Franz Sparry (1715-1767) was an Austrian composer and Kapellmeister noted for his sacred choral and orchestral compositions. He served as music director at St. Peter's Abbey in Salzburg. Sparry's works blend Baroque harmony with early Classical sensibilities. He composed masses, motets, and instrumental pieces that were performed in religious services. Although many of his manuscripts remain unpublished, his music contributed to the musical vibrancy of mid-18th-century Austria. His compositions reflect the transition between the Baroque and Classical periods.

Martha Ray (1746-1779) was an English singer acclaimed for her performances at Covent Garden Theatre. She studied under composer Thomas Arne and became known for her expressive stage presence. Ray was a favored performer of the 4th Earl of Sandwich and moved in London's high society. Tragically, she was murdered in 1779 by a rejected suitor, a crime that shocked the public. Her talent and untimely death inspired contemporary ballads and plays. Ray's legacy endures as a poignant example of an artist whose life ended at the height of her fame.

Born into the influential Radziwiłł family in 1775, Antoni Radziwiłł combined political service with musical creativity. He served in the Prussian parliament, advocating for Polish and Lithuanian cultural interests. An accomplished composer, he wrote songs, piano pieces, and chamber music that blended Romantic and folk elements. Radziwiłł hosted salons that attracted leading artists, fostering a vibrant intellectual atmosphere in Berlin and Warsaw. He championed the preservation of Polish-Lithuanian heritage and supported emerging composers such as Chopin. His dual passion for politics and the arts left a lasting impact on 19th-century Central European culture.

Born in Vienna in 1781, Anton Diabelli rose to prominence as a composer of dance music and influential music publisher. He founded the Diabelli publishing house, bringing works by Beethoven, Schubert, and Liszt to a wider audience. Diabelli’s own compositions, especially his popular waltzes and guitar pieces, enjoyed great acclaim in Europe. In 1819 he issued a theme for variations, prompting Beethoven to write the monumental Diabelli Variations, Op. 120. Under his leadership, his firm became one of the leading music publishers of the 19th century, shaping the dissemination of Romantic repertoire. Diabelli’s dual role as composer and entrepreneur fostered the careers of many composers and left a lasting imprint on musical culture.

Spyridon Samaras was born in 1861 on the Ionian island of Corfu and studied music across Europe. He composed over 60 operas, blending Italian verismo with Greek national themes in works like 'Mademoiselle de Belle-Isle.' His most enduring piece is the Olympic Hymn, premiered at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Samaras’s melodic style and dramatic orchestration made him a leading figure in European opera of his day. He returned to Greece in later life, teaching and promoting national music until his death in 1917.

George Edgar Ohr was born in 1857 and gained fame for his experimental approach to pottery. Working from his Gulf Coast studio, he created thin-walled, dramatically twisted vessels that defied conventional form. Despite modest recognition during his lifetime, Ohr’s flamboyant style and eccentric persona earned him the nickname 'Mad Potter.' His work went largely unnoticed until the 1950s, when collectors rediscovered his boundary-pushing ceramics. Today, Ohr’s pieces are celebrated as masterpieces of American art pottery and continue to influence contemporary ceramists.

Suzanne Valadon (1865–1938) was a pioneering French painter who began her career as an artist's model for Renoir and Toulouse-Lautrec. She taught herself to paint and became the first woman admitted to the Société Nationale des Beaux-Arts. Valadon was celebrated for her vibrant nudes, still lifes, and landscapes that combined strong form with emotional depth. Her work influenced her son, Maurice Utrillo, who became a renowned painter in his own right. Despite societal challenges, she secured her place among the leading modern artists of early 20th-century Paris.

Born in 1935, Kit Lambert entered the music industry with a passion for avant-garde art and sound. In the early 1960s, he co-founded the company Track Records and discovered The Who, taking on the role of their manager and producer. Lambert produced the band's breakthrough albums, including 'My Generation' and 'A Quick One,' and was instrumental in shaping their rebellious image. His innovative production techniques and theatrical vision helped define the ethos of British rock music. Despite parting ways with The Who in 1970 due to creative and financial conflicts, Lambert's impact on popular music endured until his death in 1981.

Lee Brilleaux co-founded the influential pub rock band Dr. Feelgood in 1971, serving as its lead singer and harmonica player. His raw vocal style and energetic stage presence helped define the band's gritty rhythm and blues sound. Brilleaux and Dr. Feelgood enjoyed commercial success in the 1970s with hits like 'Milk and Alcohol.' He was celebrated for his dedication to live performance and close relationship with fans. Despite health challenges, he continued to tour and record until his passing. His contribution to the rock and pub music scenes remains widely respected.

Alex Schomburg was a Puerto Rican painter and illustrator born in 1905 who became a key figure in Golden Age comic art. He produced hundreds of vibrant covers for Timely Comics, later Marvel Comics, and Archie Publications during the 1940s. His mastery of color and dynamic composition set a high standard for science fiction and superhero illustrations. Beyond comics, Schomburg created pulp magazine art and advertising illustrations. His work influenced generations of artists and remains celebrated for its energy and detail.

Cecile de Brunhoff was a French pianist and storyteller born in 1903 who originated the character Babar the Elephant. She first told the Babar stories to her children in 1931, and her husband Jean de Brunhoff illustrated them in a series of bestselling books. The Babar series has since been translated into dozens of languages and adapted into television programs and merchandise. Although she did not illustrate the books herself, her imaginative narratives laid the foundation for a beloved children's franchise. De Brunhoff lived to see her creation enchant generations of readers before her death in 2003.