September 03

Konstantin Flavitsky was born in 1830 and trained at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. He specialized in historical and religious subjects, creating works noted for their emotional depth and rich color palette. His painting 'Princess Tarakanova' is celebrated for its dramatic portrayal of doomed innocence. Flavitsky participated in key artistic movements that sought to define a national Russian style, blending realism with romantic themes. Despite his premature death at age 36, he left a lasting impact on Russian art. His legacy endures in major museum collections where his works continue to inspire viewers.

Albéric Magnard (1865–1914) was a prominent French composer associated with the late Romantic tradition. He composed three symphonies, chamber works, piano pieces, and choral music that showcased his mastery of intricate harmonies. An influential educator at the Conservatoire de Paris, he mentored a generation of French musicians. In August 1914, as World War I erupted, Magnard refused to surrender his home to invading German soldiers. He lost his life defending his estate in Normandy, where much of his unedited works perished in the fire. Today, his compositions are celebrated by enthusiasts of French Romantic music and are performed by orchestras seeking lesser-known repertoire.

Rafailo Momčilović (1875–1941) was a Serbian Orthodox hegumen (abbot) and accomplished painter. As head of his monastery, he oversaw spiritual life and produced religious iconography in the Byzantine tradition. His murals and icons embellished churches across Serbia, blending liturgical symbolism with artistic sensitivity. A gifted illustrator, Momčilović contributed to the revival of Orthodox art in the early 20th century. Living through tumultuous political changes, he maintained the integrity of ecclesiastical aesthetics amid the Balkan upheavals. His legacy endures in the frescoes and religious artworks preserved in Serbian monasteries.

Séraphine Louis (1864–1942), known simply as Séraphine de Senlis, was a self-taught French painter of the naïve art movement. Discovered by German art dealer Wilhelm Uhde in 1912, she produced vibrant floral and botanical compositions characterized by bold colors and intricate patterns. Working in isolation, she painted on humble materials, creating works that fused spiritual devotion with exuberant natural forms. Her career was cut short by World War I, but she experienced a brief renaissance in the 1920s before falling into obscurity. Institutionalization during World War II ended her artistic output, and she died in poverty at a psychiatric hospital. Posthumously celebrated by modern critics, her paintings feature in major museums and retrospectives of outsider art.

Alan 'Blind Owl' Wilson (1943–1970) co-founded the band Canned Heat and served as its primary singer, lead guitarist, and harmonica player. He wrote enduring hits like "On the Road Again" and "Going Up the Country," helping to define the 1960s blues-rock revival. Wilson was also an avid environmentalist and reflected his love of nature in his songwriting. His distinctive, ethereal voice and technical skill on slide guitar earned him critical acclaim. His untimely death at age 27 cemented his status as a tragic figure in rock history.

Harry Partch (1901–1974) was a visionary composer who challenged Western tuning conventions with his 43-tone scale. He designed and built unique instruments such as the Chromelodeon, Cloud Chamber Bowls, and Quadrangularis Reversum. Partch's works, including Delusion of the Fury and The Bewitched, integrated music, theater, and speech. As a theorist, he documented his ideas in the book Genesis of a Music, influencing experimental and avant-garde music. His legacy endures in contemporary microtonal and interdisciplinary musical practices.

Gianni Vella (1885–1977) was a leading Maltese artist renowned for his church frescoes and public murals. Educated in Malta and Rome, he blended traditional iconography with modernist techniques. Vella's portraits captured prominent Maltese figures, while his landscapes showcased the island's natural beauty. He exhibited his work internationally, earning accolades across Europe. Vella's vibrant palette and dynamic compositions left a lasting mark on Maltese cultural heritage.

Born in New Jersey in 1909, Johnny Marks authored some of the most enduring Christmas songs of the 20th century. He wrote "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" in 1949 for Montgomery Ward, which became a holiday classic. His 1958 song "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" and the 1962 hit "A Holly Jolly Christmas" are celebrated seasonal standards. Marks was named BMI Songwriter of the Year in 1963 for his contributions. His works have been covered by countless artists and continue to define holiday playlists around the world. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame posthumously in 1988.

Born in New York City in 1926, Morton Feldman became a leading figure in the post-war avant-garde music scene. He studied with John Cage and developed a distinctive compositional style characterized by quiet dynamics and extended durations. His major works include "Rothko Chapel", "For Philip Guston", and numerous solo piano pieces. Feldman collaborated with visual artists and was deeply influenced by abstract expressionism. He taught composition at several universities, including the State University of New York at Buffalo. His innovative approach challenged traditional notions of time, structure, and musical texture. Feldman's legacy lives on as a pioneer of experimental and minimal music.

Mary Adshead (1904–1995) was a British painter, muralist, and illustrator. She studied at the Slade School of Fine Art and gained acclaim for her public murals and portraits. Adshead's work combined traditional techniques with bold color palettes, reflecting a modernist sensibility. She exhibited at major galleries and completed commissions for public buildings and the Arts Council. Her legacy lives on in numerous collections and public spaces where her vivid and dynamic works continue to be admired.

Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c.1910–1996) was a pioneering Indigenous Australian artist who began painting late in life and produced a prolific body of work. Her abstract compositions, characterized by vibrant dots and sweeping brushstrokes, drew upon the Dreamtime stories of her Anmatyerre people. Kngwarreye held her first solo exhibition at age eighty and quickly gained international recognition. She became one of the most successful contemporary Aboriginal artists, with works in major galleries worldwide. Her unique vision and contributions helped elevate Indigenous art on the global stage, inspiring generations of artists.

Carter Albrecht was born in 1973 and developed a passion for music from an early age. He built a reputation in the Texas music community as a talented keyboard player and guitarist, performing with various local and touring acts. His energetic style and musical versatility earned him collaborations across genres. Albrecht's career included studio recordings and live performances that showcased his skill and creativity. He died suddenly in 2007 at the age of 34, leaving behind friends and fans who remembered him for his musical talent and warm personality.