September 14

Sir Peter Lely (1618–1680) emigrated from the Netherlands to England and established a successful portrait studio in London. He succeeded Sir Anthony van Dyck as the principal portraitist of the English court. His graceful style and refined depiction of fabric and expression captured the glamour of Restoration society. Lely painted members of the royal family, nobility, and literary figures, leaving a vast body of work. He also served as Surveyor of the King's Pictures, overseeing royal art collections. His portraits continue to be admired in galleries and collections around the world for their beauty and historical insight.

Michael Haydn was born in 1737 in the Duchy of Bavaria. He studied music under his brother Joseph Haydn and developed a distinct style in sacred choral works. Over his career he composed more than 360 pieces, including masses, symphonies, and chamber music. He served as Konzertmeister at Salzburg Cathedral, influencing fellow musicians such as Mozart. Known for his melodic inventiveness and rich harmonies, he helped shape the classical sacred repertoire. His operas, oratorios, and instrumental works enjoyed popularity across Europe. He died in 1806, leaving behind a legacy of liturgical compositions still performed today.

John Gould published over 20 volumes of illustrated bird monographs, including Birds of Europe and Birds of Australia, collaborating with artists such as his wife Elizabeth Gould. He served as the first curator and preserver at the Zoological Society of London, amassing a vast collection of bird specimens. Gould's work introduced many Australian species to European science following expeditions by John Gilbert. His accurate lithographs and descriptions advanced ornithology as a scientific discipline. He established a family publishing firm to produce hand colored plates. Gould died in 1881, celebrated as the father of bird study.

Fanny Holland made her stage debut in the 1860s and quickly became a leading performer in West End theatres. She originated roles in several Gilbert and Sullivan companion pieces and starred in works by F C Burnand and other librettists. Holland's clear soprano voice and engaging stage presence earned her acclaim from audiences and critics alike. She toured extensively in Britain, introducing popular operettas to provincial towns. After retiring from the stage in the late 1880s, she taught singing and acting, mentoring future performers. Holland died in 1931, remembered as a pioneer of Victorian musical comedy.

Charles Dana Gibson was born in 1867 in Roxbury, Massachusetts, and studied art in New York City and Paris. He gained prominence in the 1890s for his pen-and-ink illustrations in magazines like Life and Harper's Weekly. His signature creation, the 'Gibson Girl,' embodied the ideals of independent American womanhood at the turn of the century. These iconic images influenced fashion, advertising, and popular culture, making him one of the most celebrated illustrators of his era. Gibson also produced social caricatures, book illustrations, and portrait sketches that showcased his artistic range. He continued to shape the world of illustration until his death in 1944.

Théodore Botrel was born in 1868 in Dinan, France, and began his career as a poet and playwright before turning to songwriting. He found fame with songs like 'La Paimpolaise' and 'Le Petit Matelot,' which romanticized Breton culture and rural life. During World War I, he composed patriotic anthems that boosted French morale on the front lines. Botrel toured extensively as a performer, earning the title 'Chanteur de la Bretagne' for his homage to his native region. He also wrote plays and published poetry collections, contributing to the revival of regional languages and traditions. Botrel's work remained popular until his death in 1925 and continues to be celebrated in Brittany today.

Born in 1883 in Vienna, Richard Gerstl was a pioneering figure in Austrian expressionism. He studied briefly at the Academy of Fine Arts before striking out on his own. Gerstl's work captured psychological depth through dramatic brushwork and intense color. He befriended composers like Arnold Schoenberg, illustrating a cross-disciplinary flair. Despite critical indifference during his life, his paintings later gained recognition for their emotional power. Gerstl's tragic life ended in 1908, but his influence on modern art endured through retrospective exhibitions.

Born in 1885, Vittorio Gui studied composition at the Parma Conservatory. He gained acclaim as a conductor of Italian opera, championing works by Rossini and Donizetti. Gui founded the Orchestra Stabile in Florence, promoting contemporary and forgotten scores. As a composer, he produced chamber works and operettas reflecting early 20th-century idioms. He also served as a respected critic, publishing essays on musical interpretation. Gui's recordings with the Philharmonia Orchestra remain benchmarks for bel canto repertoire. His career spanned over five decades, ending with his death in 1975.

Born in 1896 in San Gabriel, Jalisco, José Mojica first gained fame as a leading tenor at Mexico's opera houses. In the 1930s, he transitioned to Hollywood, starring in Spanish-language talkies and musicals. Mojica's charismatic stage presence and vocal warmth won him admirers across Latin America. Later in life, he entered the Franciscan Order, taking vows and adopting the name Fra José de Jesús. He founded a seminary and engaged in philanthropic work, blending his artistic legacy with spiritual devotion. Mojica's recordings and films remain cultural treasures. He died in 1974, leaving behind a multifaceted legacy of art and faith.

Born Ernst Nathan in Berlin in 1898, Nash emigrated to Italy where he developed a passion for classical architecture. He meticulously photographed Roman monuments and archaeological sites, creating an unparalleled visual archive. In the 1950s he founded the Fotothek Archive at New York University, assembling thousands of images that have become an essential resource for historians and architects. Nash also taught photography and art history at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts, inspiring generations of scholars. His work continues to influence the study and preservation of ancient architecture globally.

Born in Smyrna in 1902, Papasideris relocated to mainland Greece after the population exchange and immersed himself in urban folk music. He wrote and performed numerous songs that captured the struggles and hopes of working-class Greeks during the interwar period. His melodic style and heartfelt lyrics earned him a devoted following. Over a career spanning five decades, he recorded dozens of tracks that remain staples of traditional Greek music. Papasideris’s contributions continue to influence contemporary Greek songwriters and performers.

Born in 1902 to a wealthy publishing family, Tully trained as a soprano but later shifted her focus to philanthropy. She endowed the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, creating a premier venue for chamber music and intimate performances. Through her generous contributions, she supported scores of musicians and ensembles, fostering the growth of arts education. Tully also served on numerous boards and commissions, advocating for the expansion of cultural institutions in the United States. Her legacy endures in the vibrant musical landscape of New York and beyond.