October 10

Étienne Moulinié was a French Baroque composer born in 1599. He became known for his airs de cour and chamber works, publishing several collections that combined refined melodies with expressive harmonies. Moulinié served at the court of the Duke of Guise and later joined the musical establishment of Cardinal Richelieu. His compositions influenced the development of secular vocal music in 17th-century France. He also composed religious works and instrumental pieces, demonstrating versatility across genres. Moulinié's music remains an important example of early French Baroque style and continues to be performed by early music ensembles.

Nicolas de Largillière was a leading French Baroque painter born in 1656, renowned for his elegant portraits and religious paintings. He trained in Antwerp and Rome before establishing a successful career in Paris, where he attracted aristocratic and royal patrons. Largillière joined the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1686 and later became its Rector, shaping French artistic taste. His works are characterized by vibrant color, detailed textures, and lifelike representation of fabrics and jewelry. He painted portraits of Louis XIV, members of the royal family, and leading figures of the day. Largillière's legacy endures in major museums and private collections that showcase his refined style and technical mastery.

Johann Nicolaus Bach was a German organist and composer of the famous Bach family, born in 1669. He served as organist at the St. Marienkirche in Celle and later at the Neue Kirche in Arnstadt, composing keyboard and choral works for religious services. Bach's surviving compositions demonstrate the intricate counterpoint and expressive depth characteristic of early Baroque music. As a member of the extensive Bach dynasty, he maintained familial musical traditions while developing his own style. His works contributed to the sacred music repertoire in northern Germany during a period of rich musical innovation. Johann Nicolaus Bach passed away in 1753, leaving a modest but valued corpus of compositions.

Jean-Antoine Watteau was a pioneering French Rococo painter born in 1684, celebrated for inventing the fête galante genre. His delicate brushwork, luminous palette, and poetic compositions captured aristocratic leisure and theatricality. Watteau trained under Claude Gillot and traveled to Italy, where he studied Venetian colorists before returning to Paris. His masterpiece 'Pilgrimage to Cythera' won admission to the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1717. Despite his early death in 1721, his influence reshaped French painting, inspiring artists such as Boucher and Fragonard. Watteau's works remain iconic examples of 18th-century elegance and imagination.

Lambert-Sigisbert Adam was a French Rococo sculptor born in 1700, celebrated for dynamic and expressive figural groups. He studied in Rome under François Girardon before returning to Paris, where he executed aristocratic and royal commissions. Adam contributed to the decoration of the Palace of Versailles and produced works for French gardens and châteaux across Europe. His sculptures combine dramatic movement with delicate detailing, as seen in his acclaimed bronze group 'The Triumph of Amphitrite'. He was appointed a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1743. Adam died in 1759, leaving a legacy that influenced European sculpture of the 18th century.

Giuseppe Verdi was born in 1813 in Le Roncole, Italy, and became one of the most celebrated opera composers of all time. His works are known for their memorable melodies, dramatic intensity, and deep emotional resonance. Verdi's operas, including "Rigoletto," "Il Trovatore," and "La Traviata," remain staples of the repertoire. Beyond his musical genius, he supported charitable causes, founding a home for aged musicians in Milan. Verdi's commitment to Italian unification was reflected in his choice of themes and in patriotic choruses that inspired his contemporaries. He collaborated with the leading librettists and directors of his era, advancing the art form. Verdi's legacy endures in his profound influence on opera, music education, and Italian culture.

Maurice Prendergast studied at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts before establishing himself in New York’s art community. He became associated with the Post-Impressionist movement, producing works characterized by bold color and mosaic-like brushstrokes. Prendergast exhibited with influential groups such as the Society of Independent Artists and the Armory Show of 1913. His paintings often depict bustling urban life, seaside resorts, and social gatherings with a distinct decorative quality. Today, his work is held in major collections including the Museum of Modern Art and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Han van Meegeren was a Dutch artist who gained notoriety as one of history’s most successful art forgers. Trained as a painter, he mastered 17th-century Dutch techniques, enabling him to produce convincing fake canvases attributed to masters like Johannes Vermeer. His forgeries fetched high prices and deceived leading art experts and museums for years. After World War II, his arrest and dramatic trial revealed his illegal operation, transforming him into a controversial celebrity. Van Meegeren’s story continues to fascinate scholars and art lovers as a remarkable chapter in the world of artistic deception.

Lilly Daché was a French-American milliner and fashion entrepreneur who revolutionized women’s couture hats in the mid-20th century. After emigrating to New York in the 1920s, she opened a boutique that quickly attracted celebrities and socialites with its elegant, sculptural designs. Her signature hats were worn by Hollywood icons like Marlene Dietrich and Joan Crawford, cementing her reputation in the fashion world. Daché expanded her brand into a successful business empire, producing ready-to-wear lines and authoring several books on style. As a pioneering woman in fashion, she received accolades such as the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award and left an enduring mark on American style.

Alberto Giacometti was a Swiss sculptor and painter whose distinctive, elongated figures became iconic expressions of existentialist thought in modern art. After moving to Paris in the 1920s, he worked alongside leading avant-garde artists and was briefly associated with the Surrealist movement. Giacometti’s sculptures, characterized by their attenuated proportions and textured surfaces, captured themes of isolation and perception. He also produced haunting portraits and drawings that reflected his philosophical interests, earning acclaim in major international exhibitions. His influence on post-war art remains profound, with works displayed in premier museums around the world.

Born Vladimir Dukelsky, he trained at the Moscow Conservatory before emigrating to the United States. He wrote music for Broadway musicals including "Cabin in the Sky" and collaborated with lyricists such as Ira Gershwin. His songs became jazz and pop classics, recorded by legends like Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald. Duke also composed orchestral works and film scores. His blend of Russian musical heritage with American jazz influences created a unique and enduring legacy in 20th-century music.

Influenced by folk rhythms and neo-classical styles, he composed symphonies, concertos, and works for wind band that remain staples of American repertoire. He taught composition at institutions such as Drake University and New York University. Creston authored influential texts on music theory and analysis. His compositions were championed by conductors like John Barbirolli and Leopold Stokowski. He sought to make contemporary music accessible while maintaining artistic integrity. His educational legacy endures through his writings and the many students he mentored.