June 06

Vecchietta, born Lorenzo di Pietro in 1412, was a leading figure of the Sienese Renaissance, mastering painting, sculpture, and architectural design. He trained in the workshop of Jacopo della Quercia and later became a key member of the communal government in Siena. His works include expressive altarpieces, intricate bronze reliefs, and innovative building projects that blended Gothic and classical elements. Vecchietta’s artistic vision helped shape the cultural landscape of 15th-century Tuscany. He died in 1480, leaving a richly varied oeuvre that continues to inspire appreciation for Renaissance artistry.

Born in 1820 in Verviers, Belgium, Vieuxtemps showed exceptional musical talent from childhood. He studied with Charles Auguste de Bériot and quickly gained international acclaim. Vieuxtemps toured Europe and Russia as a soloist and worked with major orchestras. His compositions, especially his five violin concertos, combined technical brilliance with lyrical beauty. Later in life, he taught at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, influencing a new generation of violinists. Henri Vieuxtemps died in 1881, leaving a rich legacy of performance and composition.

Born in 1860, Russell became one of the most popular stage performers of her era. She starred in dozens of operettas and musical comedies on Broadway, captivating audiences with her vocal talent and glamorous style. Her public persona epitomized Gilded Age elegance and she was often featured in society columns. Beyond the stage, she advocated for better living conditions for performers and was involved in early charitable work. Her memoir, published in 1907, offers insights into the theatrical world of her time. She remained an iconic figure until her death in 1922.

Together with his brother Auguste, Louis Lumière co-invented the cinematograph, a lightweight motion-picture camera and projector, in 1895. The Lumière brothers' first public film screening in Paris is often cited as the birth of commercial cinema. Louis directed and produced many short films that captured everyday scenes and staged dramas, demonstrating the new medium's potential. He wrote scenarios and contributed to early film techniques, including camera movement and editing. After the turn of the century, he shifted focus to still photography and industrial applications but remained a respected figure in film history. Lumière died in 1948, having witnessed the medium he helped create evolve into a global art form.

Meldrum emigrated to Australia in the early 20th century and quickly gained recognition for his refined tonal style, emphasizing the effects of light and shadow. He challenged traditional color-based approaches, teaching that tone was the most important element in painting. In 1916 he founded the Meldrum School of Painting in Melbourne, influencing a generation of Australian artists. His work sparked debate within the art community but also led to a reevaluation of academic methods. Meldrum exhibited widely and earned accolades for his portraits and landscapes characterized by their harmonious tonal gradations. He continued teaching and painting until his death in 1955, leaving a lasting mark on Australian art education.

Yves Klein was born in 1928 in Nice, France, and became a leading figure of post-war European art. He pioneered monochrome canvases, most notably his signature International Klein Blue (IKB). Klein was a founding member of the Nouveau Réalisme movement and explored the concept of the immaterial in art. His innovative use of color and form influenced minimalism and conceptual art. Klein's works continue to inspire artists worldwide for their bold simplicity. He tragically died in 1962 at the age of 34 following a scuba diving accident.

William Baziotes was born in 1912 in Pittsburgh and became a prominent figure in the New York School of abstract expressionism. His paintings fused Surrealist biomorphic forms with expressive brushwork and vivid color. Baziotes exhibited at Peggy Guggenheim's Art of This Century gallery and participated in the 1951 Venice Biennale. He also taught at the Cooper Union in New York, influencing a generation of artists. His work continues to be celebrated for its poetic abstraction and lyrical composition.

Stan Getz was born in 1927 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and became one of jazz's most influential tenor saxophonists. Nicknamed "The Sound," he was praised for his warm, lyrical tone and improvisational mastery. Getz played with the Woody Herman band early in his career and later became a leading figure in the cool jazz movement. In the 1960s he popularized bossa nova in the United States through collaborations with Brazilian musicians like João Gilberto and Antônio Carlos Jobim. His recording of "The Girl from Ipanema" became a worldwide hit and earned him multiple Grammy Awards.

Born in Houston, Texas, Billy Preston began playing piano at age three. Discovered by Little Richard, he recorded his first album at age 12. As a session musician, he worked with artists like Ray Charles and Sam Cooke before joining The Beatles on their final recordings. His solo hits include 'Will It Go Round in Circles' and 'Nothing from Nothing'. Preston won a Grammy Award and was nicknamed 'the Fifth Beatle'. He also appeared as an actor in film and television, showcasing his charismatic presence. Preston passed away on June 6, 2006, remembered for his pioneering soul-funk sound.