May 24

Jacopo Carucci, known as Pontormo (1494–1557), was a leading artist of the Florentine Mannerist movement. He studied in the workshop of Andrea del Sarto and developed a distinctive style marked by elongated figures and unusual perspectives. Pontormo's best-known works include the Deposition from the Cross in Florence and portrait paintings of prominent Florentine families. He rejected the ideals of the High Renaissance in favor of emotional intensity and bold color palettes. Pontormo also produced frescoes and altarpieces that reflect his innovative approach to religious subjects. His influence extended to pupils such as Rosso Fiorentino and later Mannerist painters. Pontormo's work remains celebrated for its originality and expressive power.

Cathinka Buchwieser was born in 1789 and rose to fame as an operatic singer with a powerful soprano voice. She performed in major German opera houses, captivating audiences with her dramatic interpretations and musicality. In addition to her singing career, she appeared as an actress in theatrical productions, showcasing her versatility. Buchwieser's art contributed to the cultural vibrancy of early 19th-century Europe. She retired from the stage later in life and passed away in 1828, remembered for her emotive performances.

Emanuel Leutze was born in 1816 in Germany and raised in the United States, becoming a celebrated history painter. His most famous work, 'Washington Crossing the Delaware' (1851), has become an enduring symbol of American patriotism. Leutze studied art in Europe, blending Romantic and Realist styles in his dramatic compositions. He taught at the National Academy in New York and influenced a generation of American artists. Leutze's larger-than-life canvases captured pivotal moments in American and European history. He died in 1868, leaving behind a legacy of nationalistic art.

Alexei Savrasov was born in 1830 and became a leading figure in Russian landscape painting. He studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture, developing a style known for its lyrical mood and atmosphere. His masterpiece 'The Rooks Have Come Back' (1871) is celebrated for its evocative depiction of spring. Savrasov influenced the Peredvizhniki (Itinerants), promoting realism and painting en plein air. He taught numerous students who became prominent Russian artists. Savrasov died in 1897, leaving a legacy of introspective and atmospheric landscapes.

George Grey Barnard was born in 1863 in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and trained at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He studied in Paris and developed a style that combined classical and medieval influences in his bronze and marble sculptures. Barnard’s works were showcased at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, earning international acclaim. He amassed a significant collection of medieval architectural fragments that formed the basis of The Cloisters museum in New York. His public monuments and scholarly pursuits helped shape American appreciation for medieval art and public sculpture.

Born in Le Tréport, France, Paul Paray studied organ and composition at the Paris Conservatoire. He served as director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra from 1952 to 1963, earning acclaim for his precise technique and interpretations. A prolific composer, his works include the Symphonie en si bémol and the oratorio Le Chemin de la Croix. Paray championed French repertoire, especially the works of Debussy and Ravel. He received the Grand Prix du Disque for his recordings and was a prominent figure in mid-20th-century classical music.

Henri Michaux trained briefly in medicine and pharmacy before dedicating himself to art and literature. He published his first poems in 1921, aligning loosely with Surrealism while maintaining a unique voice. Michaux traveled through Asia in the 1920s, absorbing Chinese and Japanese artistic traditions. In the 1950s, he experimented with mescaline, creating vivid writings and abstract ink drawings. His work blurred the boundaries between text and image, exploring inner consciousness. Michaux exhibited his paintings across Europe and influenced generations of avant-garde artists. His hybrid creations continue to inspire multidisciplinary approaches in art and poetry.

Sylvia Daoust studied at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal and continued her training in Paris under Émile-Antoine Bourdelle. She became one of the first women to join the faculty at the École des beaux-arts de Montréal, shaping a generation of Canadian artists. Her work seamlessly blended modernist sensibilities with traditional religious iconography in large-scale sculptures. Daoust completed many public commissions, including works for the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal and other prominent sites. Throughout her career, she advocated for the importance of art education and accessibility. She received numerous accolades for her contributions to Canadian art and remained active in her practice well into her late years.

George Nakashima studied architecture at the University of Washington and later in Tokyo before opening his architectural practice. He and his wife endured internment during World War II before resuming their work in Pennsylvania. Nakashima became renowned for his handcrafted furniture that highlighted the natural beauty of wood, often preserving live edges and organic forms. He founded Nakashima Woodworkers, influencing generations of designers and craftsmen. His philosophy emphasized harmony between materials, maker, and user, drawing on both Western and Japanese traditions. His pieces are now highly sought after by collectors and museums around the world. Nakashima’s legacy endures through exhibitions and the continued operation of his studio by his family.

Born in 1924, Philip Pearlstein served in the US Army Signal Corps before studying art at the Carnegie Institute and Pratt Institute. He emerged as a leading figure in modern realism, focusing on large-scale nude compositions set in everyday interiors. His work challenged abstract trends of the 1950s, emphasizing meticulous observation and form. Pearlstein taught at the Pratt Institute for nearly three decades, influencing generations of artists. His paintings have been exhibited at major institutions such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. Even after his passing in 2022, his legacy endures as a pioneer of contemporary figurative art.

Born in 1925, Carmine Infantino began his career at DC Comics in the 1950s and revolutionized superhero design with his work on The Flash. He co-created iconic characters such as the Silver Age Flash and Black Canary. Rising through the ranks to become DC’s editorial director and later publisher, Infantino championed new talent and innovative storylines. His dynamic visual style and editorial vision helped restore interest in superhero comics during a period of decline. Under his leadership, DC launched groundbreaking series and modernized its classic characters. Infantino’s contributions earned him a place in the comic book hall of fame and secured his status as a legend in the industry.

Born in Los Angeles in 1936, Harold Budd studied composition and piano before collaborating with composers like Morton Feldman and John Cage. In the late 1970s, he pioneered ambient music alongside Brian Eno, releasing acclaimed albums such as The Pavilion of Dreams and The Plateaux of Mirror. His poetic sensibility infused his compositions with meditative atmospheres and lyrical titles. Budd’s work influenced generations of musicians and was celebrated for its emotional depth and serenity. He continued to compose, perform, and publish poetry until his passing in 2020.