August 01

Sebastiano Ricci (1659–1734) was a prominent Italian painter who helped pave the way for the Rococo style. Born in Belluno, he trained in Venice and developed a luminous technique characterized by fluid brushwork and rich hues. Ricci’s frescoes and canvases adorned palaces and churches across Italy and Europe, earning him international fame. He collaborated with architects and sculptors to create integrated Baroque interiors that dazzled patrons. Ricci’s work influenced later artists such as Tiepolo and contributed to the shift toward lighter, more decorative aesthetics. His career spanned major cultural centers including Venice, Florence, London, and Paris. Today, his paintings are admired for their elegance, movement, and expressive use of color.

Richard Wilson (1714–1782) is regarded as one of Britain’s earliest and most influential landscape painters. Born in Wales, he studied in Italy under the tutelage of classical masters and absorbed the techniques of Italianate scenery. Wilson’s works transformed British painting by introducing grand, poetic landscapes that combined natural observation with dramatic compositions. He co-founded the Royal Academy schools, nurturing a generation of landscape artists including Thomas Jones. His paintings often depicted pastoral scenes and mythological subjects set against harmonious settings. Wilson’s balance of realism and idealism laid the groundwork for the later Romantic movement. Today, his works are celebrated for their lyrical quality and pioneering vision in the portrayal of the British countryside.

Born in 1831 in Rome, Cotogni trained at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia and made his operatic debut in 1851. He performed leading baritone roles at La Scala and other major European opera houses, earning acclaim for his bel canto style. After retiring from the stage, Cotogni taught at the Rome Conservatory and influenced a generation of singers. His method prized expressive phrasing, vocal purity, and dramatic interpretation. He died in 1918, leaving a lasting impact on opera performance and pedagogy.

Hans Rott studied at the Vienna Conservatory and worked as an organist at St. Florian. Though most of his works were not performed during his lifetime, his Symphony in E major impressed Gustav Mahler, who ordered its unpublished score. Rott composed lieder, chamber music, and a noteworthy symphonic poem, demonstrating precocious talent and rich orchestration. Struggling with mental illness, he was institutionalized and died at the age of 25. His music was rediscovered posthumously, earning him recognition as a pioneer of late-Romantic symphonic style.

Isobel Lilian Gloag studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and later under Edward Burne-Jones, developing a style marked by delicate color and flowing line. She exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Grosvenor Gallery, gaining acclaim for her portraits of society figures and poetic interpretations of mythological themes. Gloag illustrated books including 'The Golden Legend' and was a member of the New English Art Club. Despite chronic ill health, she produced a rich body of work that blended symbolism and realism. Her art has been praised for its ethereal beauty and continues to be celebrated in late-Victorian British painting.

Morris Stoloff was an influential American composer, conductor, and musical director in Hollywood’s golden age. As head of music at Columbia Pictures, he supervised scores for over 200 films. Stoloff won three Academy Awards for Best Scoring in the 1940s and 1950s for films including ‘Cover Girl’ and ‘Pal Joey’. His collaborations with top composers and filmmakers shaped the sound of mid-century cinema. Beyond film, he arranged and conducted concert works and popular music recordings. Stoloff’s legacy is preserved in the rich musical heritage of classic Hollywood.

James Henry Govier was a prominent English artist whose work captured the subtle beauty of the British countryside. Trained at the Slade School of Fine Art, he excelled in painting, illustration, and wood engraving. His landscapes and street scenes were featured in exhibitions across London and the Midlands during the mid-20th century. Govier's meticulous wood engravings adorned limited-edition books and magazines, showcasing his command of light and texture. Collectors prize his works for their delicate composition and timeless portrayal of rural life. His influence persists in the revival of traditional printmaking techniques among contemporary British artists.

Walter Scharf began his musical career as a pianist for radio orchestras in the 1930s before transitioning to composition. He scored over 100 films, including classics like "Ben-Hur," "Funny Girl," and "The Poseidon Adventure." Scharf earned six Academy Award nominations and won an Emmy Award for his work on the television series "Highway to Heaven." His versatile style ranged from orchestral epics to intimate chamber arrangements, showcasing his melodic gift. He collaborated with stars such as Sidney Poitier and Elizabeth Taylor, enhancing their performances with memorable themes. Scharf's music continues to resonate through modern reissues and concert performances.

Gerda Taro was a trailblazing photojournalist whose images brought the realities of the Spanish Civil War to global attention. Born Gerta Pohorylle in Stuttgart, she adopted her professional name and partnered with Robert Capa to document warfare. She captured powerful images of soldiers and civilians under fire, pioneering empathetic visual storytelling in conflict zones. Taro's dedication to her craft led her to the front lines, where she became one of the first female war correspondents. Her life was tragically cut short in 1937 during the Battle of Brunete, making her one of the first journalists killed in action. Despite her brief career, her photographs remain iconic symbols of courage and human resilience.

Jackie Ormes broke barriers as the first African-American woman syndicated cartoonist, creating comic strips like "Torchy Brown in Dixie to Harlem." Her art combined social commentary with humor, addressing issues of race, class, and gender during the mid-20th century. Ormes also produced the "Torchy" women’s fashion cartoon, showcasing elegance and sophistication in her characters. She worked as a journalist, using her platform to advocate for civil rights and women’s empowerment. Her influence extended beyond published work, inspiring generations of Black artists and cartoonists. In recent years, her legacy has been revived through exhibitions and academic studies celebrating her pioneering voice.

Born Gertrud Goldschmidt in Hamburg, Gego emigrated to Venezuela in 1939 and became a leading figure in Latin American art. She pioneered innovative techniques combining wire, metal, and spatial design to create intricate, lattice-like sculptures. Her work blurred the lines between sculpture, architecture, and drawing, emphasizing transparency and movement. Gego taught at the Universidad Central de Venezuela, influencing generations of Venezuelan artists. Her installations have been exhibited internationally, from the Museum of Modern Art in New York to the Tate Gallery in London. She is regarded as a visionary whose exploration of space and form continues to inspire contemporary art.

Born Jacob Ovcharov, Jack Delano documented rural and industrial America as part of the Farm Security Administration's photography program. His black-and-white images captured the lives of migrant workers, miners, and everyday Americans during the Great Depression. Delano also composed music for government documentaries and scored several early television programs. After World War II, his photographs were published in magazines like Life and exhibited in galleries worldwide. He joined the University of Puerto Rico faculty, teaching art and furthering his interest in Caribbean culture. His dual legacy as a photographer and composer reflects a deep commitment to social documentation and artistic innovation.