June 21

Born in Venice in 1485, Sebastiano del Piombo blended Venetian color techniques with Roman monumental forms. Invited to Rome by Agostino Chigi, he quickly became a favored painter of Pope Clement VII. He collaborated with Michelangelo, painting The Raising of Lazarus based on Michelangelo's drawings. Sebastiano developed a luminous palette and refined textures that distinguished his altarpieces and portraits. As a teacher and advisor, he influenced a generation of Roman artists in the High Renaissance. He died on June 21, 1547, leaving a legacy as a key figure in the crosscurrents of Venetian and Roman art.

Born in 1564, Kryštof Harant served as a soldier during the early stages of the Thirty Years' War while nurturing a passion for music and literature. He traveled extensively through Europe and the Holy Land, documenting his journeys in detailed travelogues. As a composer, he wrote madrigals and sacred music that blended Renaissance styles with local traditions. Harant's dual career exemplified the Renaissance ideal of the soldier-scholar-artist. Despite his cultural contributions, he was executed in 1621 following the suppression of the Bohemian Revolt. His writings remain valuable sources for Central European history and musicology.

Born in 1573, Inigo Jones studied classical architecture in Italy under the tutelage of Palladian masters. Appointed Surveyor of the King's Works under James I and Charles I, he transformed the face of English architecture with elegant, symmetrical designs. His masterpiece, the Queen's House in Greenwich, combined classical proportions with innovative use of space and light. Jones also designed Wilton House’s famous north front, setting a new standard for country house architecture. He influenced a generation of architects, laying the groundwork for English Palladianism. Jones died in 1652, leaving a lasting architectural legacy that defined early Stuart England.

Born in Rome in 1599, Andrea Sacchi emerged as a leading figure of the High Baroque art movement. A pupil of the Caravaggisti, he developed a more restrained, classical style emphasizing harmony and clarity. His frescoes in the Palazzo Barberini and altarpieces such as 'The Vision of Saint Romuald' showcase his skill in composition and human expression. Sacchi engaged in influential debates on artistic theory, notably with Pietro da Cortona, advocating for simplicity over grandiosity. He served as director of the Accademia di San Luca, mentoring the next generation of artists. Sacchi died in 1661, revered for his intellectual approach to Baroque painting.

Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov was a leading member of 'The Five,' a group of Russian composers dedicated to creating a national style of music. Born in 1844, he served in the Imperial Russian Navy before devoting himself to composition and teaching. His vibrant orchestral scores, such as Scheherazade and The Flight of the Bumblebee, exhibit his extraordinary sense of color and imagination. Appointed professor at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, he influenced generations of composers, including Igor Stravinsky. Rimsky-Korsakov's theoretical writings and orchestration handbook remain essential references for musicians. He continued to compose and rearrange folk themes until his death in 1908, leaving an enduring legacy in classical music.

Édouard Vuillard (1868–1940) was a leading member of the Nabis, a post-Impressionist avant-garde group in France. He specialized in capturing the subtle beauty of everyday life through intimate interior scenes and portraits. Vuillard's early works featured rich patterns and a flattened perspective, blending decorative elements with emotional depth. He later gained acclaim for his large-scale decorative panels and murals commissioned for theaters and public buildings. Through his prints and book illustrations, Vuillard demonstrated versatility and left a lasting impact on early modern art.

Bert Kaempfert was a German conductor and composer born in 1923. He formed his own orchestra in the 1950s, blending easy listening, jazz, and pop influences. Kaempfert wrote chart-topping instrumental melodies such as “Wonderland by Night” and “Spanish Eyes,” which became international sensations. His arrangements sold millions of records and influenced the development of light jazz around the world. Kaempfert also produced early recordings for emerging artists, contributing to the global pop music scene. He died on June 21, 1980, leaving behind a catalog of timeless melodies that continue to enchant listeners.

Don Figlozzi was an American illustrator and animator born in 1909. He started his career at Fleischer Studios, working on Popeye and Betty Boop shorts with a distinctive and expressive drawing style. In the late 1930s, Figlozzi joined Walt Disney Studios, contributing to early Mickey Mouse animations and Silly Symphony series. Beyond animation, he created editorial cartoons for prominent magazines like The New Yorker. Figlozzi’s versatility bridged the worlds of moving pictures and print, showcasing his comedic timing and artistic skill. He died on June 21, 1981, and is remembered for his lasting impact on animation and illustration.

Assi Rahbani was born in 1923 in Lebanon. He formed a legendary songwriting partnership with his brother Mansour, known as the Rahbani Brothers. They composed numerous musicals and songs for the iconic singer Fairuz. Rahbani served as a producer and music director for the Lebanese National Radio Choir. His work blended traditional Lebanese melodies with innovative orchestration. He co-founded a musical troupe that toured extensively across the Arab world. His creative vision helped shape Lebanon’s cultural identity during the mid-20th century. He passed away on June 21, 1986, leaving an enduring musical legacy.

Born Shirley Luster in Springfield, Illinois, in 1925, June Christy rose to fame as a vocalist for the Stan Kenton Orchestra. In 1954, she released the album "Something Cool", a defining work of the cool jazz genre. Christy's warm, intimate style earned her critical acclaim and influenced generations of jazz singers. She recorded numerous albums and performed with top jazz ensembles throughout her career. Celebrated for her lyrical phrasing and expressive delivery, she drew fans worldwide. After withdrawing from public performances in the late 1960s, she made occasional appearances in later years. She passed away on June 21, 1990, leaving a legacy as one of America’s great jazz voices.

Born in 1973, Kami co-founded the visual kei band Malice Mizer in 1992, pioneering Japan’s alternative music scene with his dramatic drumming and stage persona. He played on the band's early albums and live performances that influenced a generation of artists. During his brief but impactful career, he recorded formative tracks that helped define the band's distinctive sound. On June 21, 1999, while rehearsing for a concert, he suffered a fatal subarachnoid hemorrhage and passed away, shocking fans worldwide. His innovative style and striking appearance continue to inspire visual kei musicians and fans alike.

Alan Hovhaness was born in 1911 in Somerville, Massachusetts, to Armenian and Scottish-Irish parents and showed musical talent early in life. He studied at the New England Conservatory of Music, developing a unique compositional voice that blended Western classical forms with Armenian, Indian, Japanese, and other non-Western influences. Over his lifetime, he composed more than 600 works, including 67 symphonies and numerous chamber, choral, and solo pieces. His meditative melodies and modal harmonies earned him acclaim from musicians and audiences around the world. Hovhaness received multiple awards, including Guggenheim Fellowships and an honorary doctorate, and his music continues to be performed internationally. He passed away in 2000, leaving a vast and diverse repertoire that defies easy categorization.