November 01

Pietro da Cortona was an Italian Baroque painter and architect born in 1596. He studied in Rome under Andrea Commodi and emerged as a leading artist of the High Baroque. His grand frescoes adorn palaces and churches, most notably the ceiling of the Palazzo Barberini. Da Cortona’s dynamic compositions and rich color palette influenced generations of European artists. He also designed architectural schemes and decorative interiors before passing away in 1669.

Antonio Canova was born in 1757 in Possagno, Italy, and became the leading sculptor of the neoclassical movement. Trained in Venice and Rome, he revived classical techniques to produce emotionally expressive marble statues. His masterpieces include "Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss," "Perseus Triumphant," and funerary monuments for Popes Clement XIII and Clement XIV. Canova's work gained international acclaim, earning him commissions from Napoleon Bonaparte and European royalty. He also founded a sculpture school in Rome, shaping the next generation of artists. Canova died in 1822, leaving a legacy that defines neoclassical sculpture to this day.

Born Marie-Louise-Alphonsine-Eugénie Albani in Quebec in 1847, she trained in Europe and adopted the stage name Emma Albani. She debuted in Paris and went on to star at London’s Covent Garden, earning acclaim for her vocal brilliance. Her repertoire spanned French and Italian operas, and she was praised for both technical skill and emotional depth. In addition to opera, she performed in concerts and occasional stage productions, demonstrating her versatility. After retiring, she taught singing in Europe and North America, influencing generations of vocalists. She died in 1930, leaving a legacy as one of the Victorian era’s greatest sopranos.

Born in Damvillers, France in 1848, he studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris under Alexandre Cabanel. He emerged as a leading figure in the naturalist movement, painting peasants and countryside scenes with unvarnished realism. His work “Haymaking” caused a sensation at the Paris Salon and established his reputation. He won the Prix de Rome in 1879 and continued to exhibit successfully until his untimely death. He died in 1884 at the age of 36, but his approach influenced generations of realist and impressionist artists.

Born in 1849 in Indiana, William Merritt Chase became one of America's leading Impressionist painters and a pioneering art educator. He studied in Europe before founding the Chase School of Art in New York City, which later became the Parsons School of Design. Chase was celebrated for his vibrant brushwork, luminous color palette, and mastery of both landscape and portrait painting. He taught countless students and held prominent positions at the National Academy of Design and the Art Students League. His influence helped shape American art at the turn of the century, and his works remain in major museum collections worldwide.

Johan Wagenaar was born in the Netherlands in 1862 and became one of his country's most respected composers and organists. He served as organist at prominent churches and taught at the Amsterdam Conservatory, influencing a generation of musicians. His compositions include symphonic poems, overtures, choral works, and organ pieces that blend Romantic and national elements. Wagenaar's music was celebrated for its rich harmonies, lyrical melodies, and evocative orchestration. He remained active as a performer and teacher until his death in 1941, leaving a lasting mark on Dutch musical life.

Louis Dewis, born in 1872, was a painter whose works bridge Belgian and French artistic traditions. He specialized in impressionist landscapes, floral still lifes, and pastoral scenes characterized by vibrant color. Dewis exhibited widely in Europe and gained acclaim for his delicate brushwork and atmospheric compositions. Despite interruptions from World War I, he continued to paint and mentor younger artists. His evocative depictions of the countryside remain valued by collectors and museums.

Roger Quilter was born in 1877 and became a leading figure in English music during the early 20th century. He studied composition in Frankfurt before returning to London to write songs, choral works, and light orchestral music. Quilter's songs, often set to Edwardian poetry, are admired for their melodic charm and refined harmonies. His works include the beloved Folksong Arrangements and incidental music for theater. Quilter's elegant style and dedication to the art song tradition influenced generations of British composers.

Konrad Mägi was born in 1878 and emerged as a leading figure in Estonian modern art. He studied in Latvia, Germany, and France, absorbing Impressionist and Fauvist influences. Mägi's vivid landscapes, portraits, and still lifes are renowned for bold color and emotional intensity. He taught at the Tallinn Art School, nurturing a generation of Estonian artists. Before his untimely death in 1925, Mägi laid the foundation for Estonia's national artistic identity.

Laurence Stephen Lowry was born in 1887 in Stretford and worked as a rent collector by day while pursuing art in his spare time. He studied at the Salford School of Art but largely developed his distinctive style through self-directed practice. Lowry's paintings capture the grit and energy of Northern England's textile mills, factories, and railways. His recurring figures—slender, stick-like characters—imbue these urban landscapes with poignant humanity. Over a career spanning six decades, he exhibited widely and became one of Britain's most beloved artists. Lowry received several honors, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Manchester, yet he remained humble and private. He died in 1976, but his work continues to resonate as a powerful portrait of industrial England.

George Kenner was born in 1888 in Nuremberg and trained as a painter and illustrator. Shortly after moving to London, he was interned as an enemy alien at the outbreak of World War I. During his internment, Kenner produced hundreds of watercolors that documented daily routines, camp facilities, and fellow internees. His vivid and meticulous works offer rare insight into civilian wartime experiences. After his release, he returned to Germany before eventually emigrating to the United States. Kenner's wartime art remained largely unknown until rediscovered decades later and has since been exhibited internationally. He died in 1971, leaving a unique visual record of life behind barbed wire.

Hannah Höch was born in 1889 in Gotha and studied at the School of Applied Arts in Berlin. She joined the Berlin Dada movement in 1917 and quickly became known for her innovative photomontages. Höch's work fused cutouts from magazines and newspapers to comment on gender roles, politics, and mass culture. Her masterpiece 'Cut with the Kitchen Knife Dada through the Last Weimar Beer-Belly Cultural Epoch of Germany' remains a landmark of avant-garde art. Over her long career, she experimented with ceramics, painting, and collage. Höch challenged artistic norms and opened doors for future generations of female artists. She died in 1978, leaving a legacy as one of the most influential voices in 20th-century art.