August 03

Born in Florence in 1484 into a prominent family of architects, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger became one of the leading designers of the High Renaissance. He took over major projects after the death of Bramante and played a key role in the development of St. Peter's Basilica. Sangallo's masterpiece, the Apostolic Palace, showcases his mastery of classical proportions and structural innovation. His work combined harmonious aesthetics with practical engineering solutions. He also trained and influenced a generation of architects through his workshops and drawings. Sangallo died in Rome in 1546, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the face of Renaissance architecture.

Grinling Gibbons was born in Rotterdam in 1648 and moved to England as a young man. He quickly gained royal patronage from King Charles II for his exquisite woodcarvings. Gibbons specialized in Baroque-style natural forms, meticulously carving flowers, fruits, and foliage in limewood and decorative panels. His masterpiece adorns St. Paul's Cathedral, Windsor Castle, and other prominent sites. Gibbons elevated woodcarving to a fine art and trained numerous apprentices. He passed away in 1721, leaving a lasting impact on English decorative sculpture.

Wenzel Müller (1767-1835) was an Austrian composer who wrote over 100 stage works, including operas and Singspiele. As Kapellmeister at the Theater an der Wien and later at the court theater in Stuttgart, he popularized German-language theatrical music. His compositions blended folk melodies with dramatic storytelling, influencing the development of early Romantic opera. Müller’s best-known works include 'Die Schöne Schusterin' and 'Das neue Sonntagskind,' which enjoyed widespread acclaim. Beyond composing, he excelled as a conductor, shaping performance practices of his time. His music remained in the repertoire of Viennese theaters into the mid-19th century, reflecting his enduring impact on Central European music.

Joseph Severn (1793-1879) was an English portrait and landscape painter who became the devoted companion of poet John Keats. He accompanied Keats to Rome in 1820 and immortalized him in paintings, including the famous 'Keats on his Deathbed.' Severn's artwork captured Italian landscapes and rural life, blending Romantic sensibilities with classical technique. After Keats's death, Severn remained in Rome, serving as British consul and supporting the expatriate artistic community. He also wrote memoirs detailing his life with Keats, offering valuable insights into the Romantic era. Severn's dual legacy as an artist and chronicler secures his place in 19th-century cultural history.

Born in 1825, George Inness studied European art before developing his signature atmospheric style. He became one of the most influential American artists of the 19th century, blending realism with spiritual themes. Inness's works, such as "The Lackawanna Valley" and "Autumn Oaks", were celebrated for their poetic representation of nature. He served as a mentor to younger artists and contributed to the founding of the National Academy of Design. His legacy endures in major museum collections worldwide, cementing his place in American art history.

Born in 1883, Süda studied music in Saint Petersburg before returning to Tallinn to teach and perform. He passionately collected traditional Estonian melodies, publishing them in influential anthologies. As an organist, his performances enriched the Baltic church music tradition. Süda composed organ works and choral pieces that blended folk motifs with classical forms. His efforts laid the groundwork for the national revival of Estonian music.

Hilda Rix Nicholas, born in 1884, was a pioneering Australian painter known for her vivid use of color and dynamic compositions. Trained in Europe, she exhibited at the prestigious Paris Salon before returning to Australia to capture the nation’s unique landscapes and people. Her wartime depictions of convalescent soldiers in Provence reflected both her artistic skill and humanitarian impulses. Rix Nicholas’s works played a significant role in shaping Australian art in the early 20th century, blending European techniques with local themes to create a distinctive style. Today, her paintings are admired for their bold palette and strong sense of place.

Born in 1913, Papaioannou became one of the leading figures in the rebetiko genre, composing lyrics and melodies that captured the spirit of everyday life. He collaborated with prominent musicians and popularized the bouzouki as a defining instrument of Greek music. His compositions blended poignant themes with innovative harmonies, influencing generations of songwriters. Throughout his career, he released numerous records that became classics across Greece and the diaspora. Papaioannou's work continues to be celebrated and performed by artists worldwide.

Born in 1888, Kuusik studied architecture and established his own practice in Estonia, where he became a leading voice in interwar design. His buildings combined functionalism with aesthetic innovation, featuring clean lines and thoughtful proportions. As an interior designer, he crafted elegant spaces that balanced form and function. Kuusik also contributed essays on design theory and taught at art institutions, influencing future generations of architects. Many of his works remain central to Estonia's architectural heritage today.

Born in 1901, Embirikos studied in Paris and became involved with the surrealist movement alongside André Breton. He published groundbreaking poetry that challenged literary norms and explored the unconscious mind. As a photographer, he experimented with techniques like photomontage and double exposure to create dreamlike images. Embirikos also wrote essays on art theory and translated French literary works into Greek. His avant-garde contributions left a profound impact on modern Greek culture.

Alfred Schnittke was born to a German-Jewish family in Soviet-era Russia and studied composition in Moscow. He pioneered polystylism, a technique that juxtaposes styles from different musical periods within a single work. Schnittke's compositions ranged from symphonies and concertos to chamber music and film scores, including music for Andrei Tarkovsky's films. He received numerous international awards for his innovative contributions to contemporary music. Schnittke's work often reflects complex emotional landscapes and philosophical themes. Despite health challenges later in life, he continued composing until his death in 1998. His legacy endures through performances and recordings worldwide.

Born in Sacramento, California, in 1954, Roger Voudouris began playing guitar and writing songs at a young age. He signed with Warner Bros. Records and released his debut album in 1978. His single "Get Used to It" reached the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1979, earning him national recognition. Despite early success, his subsequent releases did not achieve the same chart performance. Voudouris continued his career as a session musician, songwriter, and music educator. He remained active in the music industry until his death in 2003 at age 49, remembered for his contribution to the late 1970s pop-rock sound.