June 10

Born in 1557, Leandro was the eldest son of Jacopo Bassano and worked in his father’s workshop. He specialized in vibrant religious compositions, pastoral scenes, and detailed portraiture. Leandro’s use of rich colors and dynamic lighting reflected the Venetian Mannerist style. After his father’s death, he led the Bassano workshop and secured commissions from nobility and the church. His works adorned churches and palaces across Northern Italy, blending realism with poetic elegance. He died in 1622, leaving a distinctive artistic legacy within the renowned Bassano family.

Gustave Courbet was born in Ornans in the Franche-Comté region and became a pioneer of the Realist movement. He rejected Romanticism, favoring subjects from everyday life and ordinary people, as seen in works like The Stone Breakers and A Burial at Ornans. In 1855, he organized the Pavilion of Realism at the Paris World’s Fair to exhibit his work independently. Courbet’s bold brushwork and large-scale canvases influenced future generations of artists, including the Impressionists. His political engagement led to his exile after the Paris Commune. Courbet’s legacy endures as one of the most innovative and controversial figures in art history.

Theodor Philipsen was born in 1840 in Copenhagen and studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He travelled to Paris in the 1870s and embraced Impressionism under the influence of artists like Léon Bonnat. Philipsen became known for his outdoor oil sketches featuring animals, particularly cattle and horses, rendered with vibrant color and light. His work was exhibited at the Paris Salon and at Charlottenborg in Copenhagen, earning him the Eckersberg Medal in 1890. He played a key role in introducing modern French painting techniques to Danish art. Philipsen’s paintings remain highly regarded in the collections of the Statens Museum for Kunst and other institutions.

Heinrich von Herzogenberg was an Austrian composer and conductor born in Graz. He initially studied law before dedicating himself to music. A close friend and admirer of Johannes Brahms, he developed a distinctive Romantic style. He served as conductor of the Vienna Singakademie and revitalized choral performance. His works include choral pieces, chamber music, and symphonies that blended traditional and innovative elements. He influenced the resurgence of choral music in late 19th-century Austria and taught aspiring musicians until his death in 1900.

Ninian Comper was born in Aberdeen and trained in Edinburgh before moving to London. He apprenticed under Sir George Gilbert Scott Jr., mastering Gothic details and ecclesiastical art. Comper's career spanned over seven decades, during which he designed or restored more than fifty churches. He blended medieval Gothic with classical elements, pioneering a 'unity by inclusion' approach. His work included stained glass, furnishings, and comprehensive interior schemes. Comper's influence on 20th-century church architecture remained strong until his death in 1960.

André Derain was born in Chatou, France, and studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Alongside Henri Matisse, he led the Fauvist movement, notable for bold colors and expressive brushwork. His 1905 Salon d’Automne exhibit shocked critics and redefined early modern art. Derain’s work spanned landscapes, portraits, sculpture, and book illustrations. Later in his career he explored classical harmony and collaborated on public commissions. He remained an influential figure in 20th-century art until his death in 1954.

Al Dubin (1891-1945) was a Swiss-American lyricist renowned for his contributions to Broadway and Hollywood music. He collaborated with composer Harry Warren to craft hits such as '42nd Street', 'Lullaby of Broadway', and 'Shuffle Off to Buffalo'. His witty and memorable lyrics became staples of 1930s musicals and Warner Bros. films. Dubin's work helped define the golden age of American popular song. His melodies and words remain enduring classics in the Great American Songbook. He left an indelible mark on both stage and screen with his creative talent.

Frederick Loewe (1901-1988) was an Austrian-American composer celebrated for his work in musical theater. Alongside lyricist Alan Jay Lerner, he created classics such as 'Brigadoon', 'My Fair Lady', and 'Camelot'. His melodies blended European influences with American popular music to great acclaim. Loewe won multiple Tony Awards and his shows became staples of Broadway and film adaptations. Born in Berlin and raised in Vienna, he immigrated to the United States in the 1920s to pursue his career. His songs continue to delight audiences and define the golden age of musical theater.

Lin Huiyin (1904-1955) was a pioneering Chinese architect and poet, regarded as one of China's first female architects. She studied at the University of Pennsylvania and later in England, bringing Western architectural ideas to China. Lin played a key role in major projects, including the restoration of Beijing's Drum Tower and the design of national landmarks. As a writer, she published essays and poetry that captured the cultural shifts of 20th-century China. She passionately advocated for the preservation of China's ancient architecture and heritage. Her multidisciplinary achievements continue to inspire architects and scholars worldwide.

Fairfield Porter was born in 1907 in Winnetka, Illinois, into a prominent New York family. He studied literature at Harvard University but devoted his life to painting and writing about art. Porter emerged as a leading advocate for representational painting during an era dominated by abstraction. His works, characterized by luminous domestic interiors and serene landscapes, blend gentle color harmony with casual brushwork. As an art critic for Art News, he championed personal expression and the beauty of everyday life, bridging practice and critical discourse.

Dicky Wells was born in 1907 in Centerville, Tennessee, and emerged as one of the swing era's most distinctive trombonists. He rose to prominence as a member of Count Basie's Orchestra, where his charismatic solos and vibrant tone captivated audiences. Wells recorded with jazz legends such as Lester Young and Billie Holiday, enriching countless classic sessions. In later years, he led his own bands and continued to tour, inspiring generations of brass players. His robust yet lyrical approach left a lasting imprint on American jazz history.

Chester Arthur Burnett, known as Howlin' Wolf, was born in 1910 near West Point, Mississippi. He moved to Memphis and later Chicago, where his raw voice and commanding stage presence defined Chicago blues. Recording for Chess Records, he produced enduring classics such as "Smokestack Lightnin'" and "Spoonful." Howlin' Wolf's fusion of earthy vocals and amplified guitar influenced generations of rock and blues musicians. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, his legacy remains central to the story of modern American music.