August 22

Born in Paris in 1764, Charles Percier won the Grand Prix de Rome, studying classical architecture in Italy. He formed a partnership with Pierre Fontaine, developing the elegant Empire style favored by Napoleon. Their designs for the Palais du Louvre and the Tuileries Palace showcased neoclassical grandeur and refined interiors. Percier published pattern books that codified decorative motifs and influenced Europe-wide design trends. He contributed to the design of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, celebrating French military victories. As a professor at the École des Beaux-Arts, he trained a generation of architects in the principles of neoclassicism. He died in 1838, leaving a lasting impact on 19th-century architecture and interior design.

Archibald Willard was born in 1836 in Bedford, Ohio. He served as a drummer boy and musician in the Union Army during the American Civil War. After the war, Willard studied woodcarving and painting before settling in Massachusetts. In 1875, he produced The Spirit of '76, which became one of the most enduring images of the American Revolution. His work captured the national mood of unity and pride during the post-war era. Willard exhibited his paintings widely, gaining recognition for his patriotic themes. He died in 1918, and his art continues to be celebrated in American cultural history.

Claude Debussy revolutionized classical music with his innovative harmonic language and atmospheric compositions. Born in 1862, he studied at the Paris Conservatoire and gained fame after winning the Prix de Rome in 1884. His works, including 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune' and 'Clair de Lune,' broke from traditional structures and emphasized color and mood. Debussy’s use of whole-tone scales and unconventional chord progressions influenced generations of composers. He also performed as a pianist, premiering many of his own pieces. Debussy’s music captured the spirit of fin-de-siècle Paris and ushered in new possibilities for 20th-century music. He continued composing until his death in 1918, leaving a rich legacy of orchestral, chamber, and piano works.

George Herriman was an American cartoonist whose innovative work reshaped the comic strip medium. Born in New Orleans in 1880, he moved to New York to work for leading newspapers. In 1913 he launched "Krazy Kat", a surreal, poetic strip exploring the playful relationship between its trio of characters. The strip's inventive layouts, whimsical language, and gentle satire earned critical acclaim. Herriman's bold use of visual storytelling techniques influenced generations of cartoonists. He continued drawing "Krazy Kat" until his death in 1944, and his work has been collected in numerous anthologies. Today, "Krazy Kat" is celebrated as one of the greatest comic strips ever created.

Jacques Lipchitz was a Lithuanian-born sculptor and a leading figure in Cubist sculpture. Born Chaim Jacob Lipschitz in 1891, he moved to Paris in 1909 to immerse himself in the avant-garde art scene. Influenced by Picasso and Braque, he developed a unique style blending Cubism with a lyrical sense of form. Lipchitz's sculptures, often cast in bronze, explored themes of human experience and mythological subjects. He emigrated to the United States in 1941, continuing his work and teaching at prestigious art institutions. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards and exhibited widely in Europe and America. Lipchitz's innovative approach left an indelible mark on 20th-century sculpture.

Born in 1900 in Zurich, Lisy Fischer displayed remarkable musical abilities from a young age, giving her first public performance at age nine. She studied in Germany and Switzerland and toured extensively across Europe and the Americas. Fischer was praised for her technical precision and emotional depth, performing works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff. During World War II, she joined the faculty of the Conservatory in Zurich, mentoring future generations of pianists. She made several acclaimed recordings and continued performing recitals into her later years. Fischer died in 1999, remembered as one of the twentieth century's distinguished pianists.

Born in 1902 in Berlin, Leni Riefenstahl began her career as a dancer and actress before turning to film directing in the 1930s. She directed landmark documentaries such as 'Triumph of the Will' and 'Olympia,' praised for their striking cinematography and editing techniques. Riefenstahl's work is still studied for its artistic innovation despite its association with Nazi propaganda. After World War II, she faced legal and moral scrutiny but continued working as a photographer, focusing on subjects like the Nuba people of Sudan. She published photographic books and held exhibitions worldwide. Riefenstahl died in 2003, leaving a complex legacy at the intersection of art and politics.

Born in 1903, Jerry Iger began his career as a cartoonist before teaming with Will Eisner in the mid-1930s to found the Eisner & Iger studio. Their studio became one of the first comic book packaging outfits, supplying stories and artwork to multiple publishers during the Golden Age of Comics. Iger's keen eye for talent and entrepreneurial spirit helped launch the careers of numerous artists and writers. After parting ways with Eisner, he continued to drive innovation in the comic industry through new packaging ventures and editorial work. His contributions laid the groundwork for modern comic book production practices and shaped the early landscape of American comics. Iger's legacy endures in the many creators he mentored and the timeless stories his studio produced.

Born in 1908, Henri Cartier-Bresson revolutionized photography with his concept of 'the decisive moment,' capturing fleeting instances of life with precision. In 1947, he co-founded the Magnum Photos cooperative alongside Robert Capa and others, giving photographers greater creative control. His work documented major events of the 20th century, from the Spanish Civil War to Gandhi's funeral, with a keen eye for human emotion. Cartier-Bresson's training in painting informed his mastery of composition, geometry, and light in black-and-white imagery. Over decades, he published influential photobooks and held exhibitions worldwide, shaping modern photojournalism. He died in 2004, leaving an indelible mark on visual art and inspiring generations of photographers.

John Lee Hooker was a blues legend known for his deep, rhythmic guitar style and soulful vocals. Born in Mississippi, he moved to Detroit and pioneered an electrified, urban boogie-woogie sound. His hits like Boogie Chillen' and I'm in the Mood became blues standards and influenced rock and roll pioneers. Hooker won multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame for his enduring contributions. His collaborations with Van Morrison and Carlos Santana brought his music to new audiences worldwide.

Born in Buenos Aires in 1922, Roberto Aizenberg developed a unique blend of surrealism and minimalism. His paintings and sculptures often featured mysterious architectural forms and solitary figures. Aizenberg studied art at the National School of Fine Arts before traveling extensively in Europe. His work was exhibited in major galleries worldwide, earning critical acclaim for its dreamlike quality. A pioneering voice in Latin American modernism, his artistic vision influenced generations of artists. He continued to create evocative artworks until his death in 1996, leaving behind a rich legacy.

Born in Thessaloniki in 1922, Theoni Aldredge emigrated to the United States to pursue her passion for design. Over a career spanning six decades, she created iconic costumes for Broadway productions like 'The Great White Hope' and 'Barnum'. Aldredge won three Tony Awards for Best Costume Design and an Academy Award for 'The Great Gatsby'. Her innovative blend of historical accuracy and theatrical flair made her a sought-after designer in Hollywood. Even after her final designs, her influence lives on in contemporary costume artistry. She passed away in 2011, leaving a celebrated body of work.