October 01

Born circa 1478 in the town of Maubeuge (Mabuse), Jan Mabuse trained in the Netherlands. He traveled to Italy around 1508 and studied classical art and architecture. Mabuse returned home with a refined style that blended Flemish detail with Italian form. He created altarpieces, portraits, and mythological scenes for courts in the Low Countries. His work influenced artists such as Quentin Matsys and Hans Holbein. Mabuse died in 1532, leaving a lasting impact on Northern Renaissance art.

Born in Antwerp around 1519, Frans Floris trained under Jan Gossaert and in Italy. He absorbed Italian Mannerist influences and introduced them to the Netherlands. Floris headed a large workshop, producing altarpieces and decorative murals for wealthy patrons. His dynamic figures and vibrant color palette marked a shift in Northern European art. Artists like Cornelis Floris and Joos de Momper were inspired by his style. Floris died in 1570, leaving a rich body of work that shaped Flemish painting.

Born in 1498 in Heemskerck, Netherlands, Maarten trained under local masters. He traveled to Italy in the 1530s and sketched Roman ruins and architecture. His engravings and paintings of ancient monuments popularized classical themes in Northern art. He produced altarpieces and portraits for churches across Haarlem and Amsterdam. Heemskerck’s work bridged Gothic traditions with Renaissance innovation. Upon his return, he established a large workshop before dying in 1574.

Hernando de Cabezón (1541–1602) was a Spanish organist and composer, son of the famed composer Antonio de Cabezón. Appointed court organist to King Philip II, he performed at major royal ceremonies over several decades. His surviving works include tientos, motets, and liturgical pieces that demonstrate advanced contrapuntal techniques. In 1578, he published the influential anthology El Parnasso, which showcased keyboard compositions. His style blended Iberian traditions with Italian influences he encountered during his travels. Today his music is celebrated by early music performers for its richness and inventiveness.

Giammateo Asola (1532–1609) was an Italian priest and composer associated with the Venetian school. He held musical posts at several churches in Venice, producing masses, motets, and psalm settings. His sacred compositions are notable for their clear polyphony and adherence to liturgical function. Asola's works were widely copied and influenced later composers in northern Italy. He published multiple collections of sacred music during his lifetime. His contributions helped shape the transition from Renaissance to early Baroque church music.

Jan Asselijn (1610–1652) was a Dutch painter of the Golden Age, best known for his expressive landscapes and animal studies. Trained in Amsterdam, he traveled to Italy where he absorbed classical influences and plein-air techniques. On his return, Asselijn's works featured dynamic compositions, often depicting stormy skies and lively wildlife. His most famous painting, The Threatened Swan, became a symbol of Dutch resilience. He was a founder of the Bentvueghels artist society in Rome and remained influential in Dutch art circles. His dramatic use of light and movement set a precedent for later landscape painters.

John Blow (1649–1708) was an influential English composer and organist of the Baroque period. He served as organist at Westminster Abbey and master of the children of the Chapel Royal. Blow composed anthems, services, and the masque Venus and Adonis, which influenced later English opera. He was also a teacher and mentor to composers such as Henry Purcell. His works display elegant choral writing and refined harmonic style. Blow's contributions helped shape English sacred music in the late seventeenth century.

Antoine Bourdelle (1861–1929) was a pioneering French sculptor and painter who helped shape modern sculpture. He began his artistic career as one of Auguste Rodin's principal assistants before establishing his own studio in Paris. Bourdelle's work combined classical forms with expressive dynamism, producing monuments such as the Monument to Garibaldi in Nice. He also created a body of paintings and watercolors reflecting his sculptural sensibility. As a teacher at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, he influenced artists like Alberto Giacometti. Bourdelle's innovative approach bridged tradition and modernity, leaving a lasting impact on 20th-century art.

John Marin (1870–1953) was a pioneering American modernist painter and printmaker best known for his dynamic watercolors and oil paintings. Drawing inspiration from the coast of Maine and the skyscrapers of New York City, Marin captured natural and architectural forms with bold lines and vibrant color washes. He exhibited regularly at Alfred Stieglitz's 291 gallery and became a central figure in early American modern art. Marin's experimental approach blended realism with abstraction, influencing generations of artists. His rhythmic compositions and innovative techniques expanded the boundaries of watercolor painting. His work remains celebrated for its vitality and expressive power.

Robert Falk (1886–1958) was a leading figure in the Russian avant-garde movement and a founding member of the 'Jack of Diamonds' artists' group. His paintings blended Post-Impressionist and Fauvist influences with a distinctive personal style, featuring bold brushwork and vibrant color palettes. Falk studied under Konstantin Korovin and later taught at the Vkhutemas art school in Moscow. Despite political pressures in Soviet Russia, he maintained his artistic vision, producing expressive landscapes and intimate portraits. Following a period of obscurity, his work experienced a revival in the 1950s, and he is now celebrated for his contributions to 20th-century Russian art. His legacy endures in the bold experimentation of later painters.

Ludwig Bemelmans was born in Austria-Hungary in 1898 and immigrated to the United States as a young man. He worked as a hotel doorman and bartender before publishing his first book. In 1939, he introduced Madeline, a spirited Parisian schoolgirl who became a children’s literature icon. Bemelmans combined whimsical rhymes with vibrant watercolor illustrations. He produced numerous picture books and illustrations for magazines during his career. His playful art style and storytelling continue to delight readers worldwide. Bemelmans’ work has inspired adaptations in animation, theater, and merchandise.

Born in Memphis in 1935, Jackson co-founded the influential soul band Booker T. & the M.G.’s. As the group’s drummer, he crafted tight, groove-driven rhythms on hits like “Green Onions.” He also performed and recorded with legendary artists at Stax Records, including Otis Redding and Sam & Dave. Jackson co-wrote songs that became soul music classics. He produced and arranged for various artists, shaping the sound of 1960s R&B. His drumming style remains celebrated for its precision, feel, and influence on generations of musicians.