October 18

John Taverner, born around 1490, emerged as one of the foremost composers of the English Renaissance. He served as organist and choirmaster at Cardinal College, Oxford, and later at Tattershall College. His sacred works, including the Missa Gloria tibi Trinitas and Western Wynde Mass, showcase masterful polyphony. Taverner’s music influenced contemporaries and set high standards for English liturgical composition. After retiring in the 1530s, he continued to write for church services while living as a lay brother. His innovative harmony and formal structures left a lasting impact on the development of church music. He died in 1545, remembered today for his pioneering contributions to choral repertoire.

Born in 1593 in Antwerp, Jacob Jordaens became one of the leading figures of the Flemish Baroque alongside Rubens and Van Dyck. He was admitted to the Antwerp Guild of Saint Luke in 1618 and established a prolific workshop. Jordaens's art is known for its robust figures, dynamic compositions, and rich color palette. He produced altarpieces, mythological paintings, and lively depictions of peasant life that captured everyday scenes with dramatic flair. His influence extended through numerous pupils and commissions across Europe. Jordaens died in 1678 in Antwerp, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be admired for its energy and warmth.

Born in Givet in 1763, Méhul studied at the Paris Conservatoire and became the first acknowledged composer of the French Revolution. His operas, including Stratonice and Joseph, combined dramatic intensity with innovative orchestration. Méhul also composed symphonies and instrumental works that foreshadowed Romanticism. As Napoleon’s favorite composer, he contributed to official occasions and wrote patriotic music. His use of harmony and orchestral color influenced later composers such as Berlioz. Despite financial difficulties, his works secured his reputation as a master of early 19th-century French music.

Born in 1818 in Paris, Gounod studied at the Paris Conservatoire and won the Prix de Rome in 1839. Initially focused on religious music, he composed oratorios and masses, including the famous Mise au tombeau. His operatic masterpiece Faust (1859) brought him international fame, blending lyrical melodies with rich orchestration. Later works like Roméo et Juliette solidified his reputation in the Romantic era. Gounod also taught at the Conservatoire, influencing a generation of French composers. His blend of sacred and secular styles left a lasting mark on 19th-century music.

Born in 1861 in Berlin, Lesser Ury studied art in Düsseldorf and Paris, embracing Impressionist and Symbolist influences. He became known for his moody cityscapes, depicting rain-slicked streets, boulevards, and nighttime vistas with luminous reflections. Ury's mastery of color and light earned him exhibitions across Europe and helped define German Impressionism. He also created portraits and interior scenes characterized by subtle tonal variations. Despite struggling with health issues later in life, he continued to paint until his death in 1931. Ury's works remain valued for their poetic ambiance and technical finesse.

Born in 1882 in Paris, Gaston Lachaise moved to the United States in 1906 to study painting before turning to sculpture. He worked as an assistant to Auguste Rodin, adopting and expanding on his mentor's expressive style. Lachaise developed a distinctive aesthetic, creating voluminous female nudes with exaggerated, dynamic forms. His major works include 'Standing Woman' and 'Floating Figure', which brought him critical acclaim in the 1920s and 1930s. Lachaise exhibited widely, contributing to modern American sculpture and influencing subsequent artists. He also taught at the Art Students League of New York, nurturing young sculptors. He died in 1935, leaving a body of work celebrated for its elegance and vitality.

Born in 1862 near Ufa, Mikhail Nesterov studied at the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture. Influenced by Symbolism and Russian Revival art, he created iconic works such as 'The Great Taking the Veil'. Nesterov painted frescoes and icons for Russian Orthodox churches, blending spirituality with a lyrical style. He became a leading figure in the 'Moscow School' of painters and served as a professor at his alma mater. After the 1917 Revolution, he continued to work in the Soviet Union, adapting his style to new artistic directives. Nesterov's contributions shaped 20th-century Russian religious art and influenced generations of painters. He died in 1942, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy.

Born in 1869 in Karuizawa, Japan, Yoshio Markino moved to London in the late 19th century and captured city life with delicate watercolors. His illustrations appeared in publications like Studio and The Illustrated London News, earning him acclaim for blending Eastern and Western art styles. Markino also wrote memoirs and travel essays that offered unique insights into Victorian and Edwardian society. He published books such as 'A Japanese Artist in London' and influenced later generations of artists fascinated by cross-cultural themes. Markino remained in London until the outbreak of World War II, briefly returned to Japan, and passed away in 1956.

Walt Kelly began his career as an animator at Walt Disney Studios and contributed to classics like Pinocchio. He launched the Pogo comic strip in 1948, introducing characters that became cultural icons. Kelly used Pogo to comment on politics and society with wit and humor. His sharp satire and wordplay earned critical acclaim and a devoted following. Kelly's creations continue to influence cartoonists and remain celebrated for their charm and insight.

K. C. Douglas grew up in Mississippi and absorbed the region's rich blues traditions. He moved to California in the 1940s, where he became known for his powerful vocals and resonant slide guitar. Douglas recorded seminal tracks like “Mercury Blues,” which showcased his raw sound and lyrical wit. His music bridged rural Delta blues with urban audiences, influencing later generations of blues guitarists. Douglas's legacy endures through his recordings and his contributions to the spread of blues music on the West Coast.

Henri Michaux was born in 1899 and became known for his innovative work in both visual art and literature. His ink paintings and drawings often featured spontaneous, abstract forms that evoked inner psychological landscapes. As a poet, he published collections that blended surreal narratives with introspective verse. Michaux’s explorations of consciousness and perception drew from his travels and studies of altered states. Over his career, he held exhibitions across Europe and influenced avant-garde movements in art and poetry. He died in 1984, leaving a diverse body of work that continues to inspire artists and writers.

Julie London was born in 1926 and rose to fame in the early 1950s with her intimate, smoky singing style. Her signature song 'Cry Me a River' became a jazz standard and defined her cool, understated approach. London transitioned into acting, appearing in film noir and starring on television in the hit series 'Emergency!'. Over her career, she released more than thirty albums and collaborated with leading jazz musicians. Her elegant persona and vocal delivery influenced countless singers in jazz and pop genres. She retired in the late 1970s and died in 2000, leaving a lasting impact on American music and entertainment.