May 22

Born in 1644 in Peer, present-day Belgium, Grupello trained under Pieter Verbrugghen in Antwerp. He became court sculptor to the Duke of Parma and later to the Elector of Bavaria in Munich. His sculptures are noted for their energetic compositions, intricate drapery, and emotive expressions. Major works include altarpieces in European churches and allegorical statues in royal palaces. Grupello's blend of Flemish detail and Italianate grandeur influenced the spread of Baroque sculpture across Europe.

Born circa 1650 in Haarlem, Brakenburgh was a pupil of the genre painter Hendrik Martenszoon Sorgh. He specialized in depicting everyday life, including peasants' feasts, card players, and musical gatherings. His work often captured warm lighting and jovial atmosphere, drawing influence from Adriaen van Ostade and Jan Steen. Brakenburgh's paintings were collected throughout Europe for their craftsmanship and storytelling. His legacy contributed to the popularity of domestic genre painting in the late 17th century.

Born in Vienna in 1694, Gran studied in Italy and absorbed the influences of Venetian and Roman masters. He became court painter to the Habsburgs and produced major commissions for the imperial court and monasteries. His frescoes feature vibrant colors, elegant figures, and theatrical compositions that epitomize Austrian Rococo. Notable works include ceiling frescoes at Melk Abbey and St. Florian Monastery. Gran's style helped define the visual identity of ecclesiastical and secular art in 18th-century Austria.

Hubert Robert (1733–1808) was a celebrated French painter noted for his dramatic landscapes and architectural fantasies, often depicting ancient ruins and imagined vistas. He studied in Rome and absorbed the artistic heritage of antiquity, earning him the nickname “Robert des Ruines.” Upon his return to France, he worked on decorative schemes for royal residences including the Palace of Versailles. His imaginative blending of classical motifs with romantic sensibility influenced the development of landscape painting. Despite political turmoil during the Revolution, Robert continued to produce evocative works that captured the era’s shifting ideals.

Johann Nepomuk Schödlberger (1779–1853) was an Austrian artist celebrated for his delicate and atmospheric landscapes. A graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, he became known for his realistic portrayals of the Austrian Alps and countryside. His works were prized for their subtle use of light and meticulous attention to natural detail. Schödlberger later served as a professor at the Academy, influencing a generation of landscape painters. His paintings remain valued examples of early 19th-century European landscape art.

Giulia Grisi (1811–1869) was a renowned Italian soprano celebrated for her lyrical voice and dramatic presence. She debuted in Venice in 1826 and quickly rose to fame at La Scala and the Paris Opéra. Grisi created leading roles in operas by Bellini, Donizetti, and Meyerbeer, including the title role of Donizetti’s “Lucia di Lammermoor.” Her partnership with tenor Giovanni Mario became legendary, and together they toured Europe’s major opera houses. Widely acclaimed for her artistry and technique, Grisi helped define the bel canto style for generations of singers.

Born in Leipzig in 1813, Wagner revolutionized opera with his concept of the Gesamtkunstwerk, or 'total artwork'. He pioneered the use of leitmotifs—recurring musical themes linked to characters and ideas. His major works include The Flying Dutchman, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, and the epic four-opera cycle Der Ring des Nibelungen. Wagner's rich harmonies and innovative orchestration expanded the possibilities of tonal music and influenced generations of composers. He authored seminal essays on music and drama, shaping 19th-century artistic theory. He died in 1883 in Venice while composing his final opera, Parsifal.

Born in Stockholm in 1814, Lindegren was one of the first women admitted to the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts. Her work often depicted intimate scenes of daily life, focusing on children and domestic settings. She studied art in Paris and Italy, where she absorbed influences from the French Romantic movement. Her paintings won acclaim at exhibitions in Stockholm and abroad, helping pave the way for future women artists. Lindegren's gentle color palette and attention to narrative detail made her a beloved figure in 19th-century Swedish art. She died in 1891, leaving behind a legacy as a pioneer for female painters in Scandinavia.

Born in Piqua, Ohio in 1820, Whittredge traveled extensively in Europe, studying the Old Masters. He became associated with the Hudson River School, known for romanticized depictions of American nature. His luminous landscapes often feature broad horizons, dramatic skies, and tranquil wilderness scenes. He exhibited works at the National Academy of Design and won praise for his masterful use of light and color. In addition to painting, Whittredge taught at the Cleveland Academy of Art, influencing a new generation of American artists. He died in 1910, remembered as a key figure in 19th-century American landscape painting.

Born in Paris in 1833, Bracquemond became a central figure in the French etching revival. He was among the first European artists to collect and study Japanese prints, helping spark the Japonism movement. Bracquemond's etchings and designs adorned ceramics, wallpapers, and furniture, blending Western and Eastern aesthetics. He collaborated with leading artists and publishers, influencing contemporaries such as Manet and Degas. His 1880 publication, Les Maîtres de l'affiche, showcased his mastery of printmaking. He died in 1914, remembered for bridging cultural art traditions and advancing print art in France.

Born in Pennsylvania in 1844, Cassatt moved to Paris to pursue her passion for art despite societal constraints. She befriended Edgar Degas and exhibited with the Impressionists from 1879, gaining international recognition. Cassatt specialized in intimate portraiture, often depicting mothers and children with tender realism. She experimented with pastel, drypoint, and aquatint, producing prints that influenced modern graphic arts. A champion of women's rights, she organized exhibitions for female artists and supported women's suffrage. Cassatt died in 1926, respected as one of the few American painters to shape 19th-century European art.

Fritz von Uhde (1848–1911) was a German painter celebrated for blending Realism and Impressionism in his work. He brought fresh interpretations to religious art, depicting church scenes with everyday people and natural light. As an influential teacher, he founded a private art school for women in Munich, promoting artistic education for all. Uhde exhibited widely across Europe, earning acclaim for his sensitive genre scenes and expressive brushwork. His innovative approach inspired a shift toward modernism in German art circles at the turn of the 20th century. Today, von Uhde is remembered as a key figure bridging academic tradition and avant-garde experimentation.