November 28

Wen Zhengming (1470–1559) was a leading figure of the Wu School in Suzhou during the Ming dynasty. He excelled in landscape painting, calligraphy, and poetry, blending classical techniques with his own lyricism. Trained under Shen Zhou, he developed a refined brush style admired for its elegance and subtlety. Wen produced numerous albums, scrolls, and fan paintings depicting misty mountains and quiet waterways. He also achieved success as a poet and calligrapher, with his inscriptions sought after by collectors. Despite his artistic acclaim, Wen Zhengming lived a relatively modest life and served briefly as a government official. His works influenced generations of literati painters and remain highly prized in museums and collections today.

Abraham Brueghel was born in 1631 in Antwerp, into the renowned Brueghel artistic dynasty. He moved to Italy as a young man, working in Rome under the patronage of high-ranking families. Specializing in still life and floral compositions, Brueghel combined Northern realism with Italianate color and light. His paintings are celebrated for their vibrant palettes, detailed textures, and harmonious arrangements. Collaborating with figure painters, he often included mythological or allegorical scenes framed by his botanical works. Brueghel’s influence extended to the next generation of European still-life artists. He died in Naples in 1690, leaving behind a rich body of work prized by collectors and galleries.

Jean-Baptiste Lully was born in 1632 in Florence and moved to France in 1646, where he became a close associate of Louis XIV. As court composer, he revolutionized French musical style by blending Italian virtuosity with French taste. Lully pioneered the tragédie en musique, creating a new form of court opera that integrated music, dance, and drama. He also composed ballets at the Sun King’s court and served as director of the royal orchestra. His works, including Atys and Armide, set the standard for French Baroque music. Lully’s strict control over tempo via his conducting baton influenced orchestral practice. He died in 1687 after an accidental injury but left a lasting legacy on Western music.

William Blake was born in 1757 in London and showed early talent as an engraver and poet. He developed a unique method of illuminated printing to integrate text and image in works like Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience. Blake's visionary themes explored mythology, spirituality, and social criticism. Although largely unrecognized in his lifetime, his art and writings anticipated Romantic and modernist movements. He created iconic sketches of biblical scenes and prophetic books filled with complex symbolism. Today Blake is celebrated as a radical thinker whose creative genius bridged literature and visual art.

Carl Jonas Love Almqvist broke new ground in Swedish literature and music during the 19th century. His novel 'Det går an' challenged social norms and sparked debate on marriage and women's rights. As a composer, he wrote lyrical songs that blended Romantic melodies with Swedish folk elements. He also contributed art criticism, advocating for emotional expression and originality. Despite controversies and self-imposed exile, his multifaceted work left a lasting mark on Scandinavian culture.

Anton Rubinstein was celebrated as one of the greatest pianists of the 19th century, renowned for his virtuosic technique. He composed operas, symphonies, and chamber music that blended Russian themes with Romantic styles. In 1862, he founded the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, nurturing the next generation of musicians. As a conductor, he introduced innovative programming and championed Russian composers. His influence shaped the development of professional music education in Russia.

Henry Bacon was an American Beaux-Arts architect celebrated for designing the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. Born in Watseka, Illinois, in 1866, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He joined the prestigious firm of McKim, Mead & White before establishing his own practice in New York City. His neoclassical approach is exemplified in the Lincoln Memorial, completed in 1922, honoring President Abraham Lincoln. Bacon's design blended architectural grandeur with symbolic reverence, becoming an enduring national monument. He also designed art galleries and private residences, influencing American civic architecture before his death in 1924.

Mabel Alvarez studied at the Art Students League of Los Angeles under prominent mentors of the early 20th century. Her work explored spiritual and psychological themes through a palette of soft, radiant colors. She exhibited widely in California and New York, earning acclaim for her poetic portraits of women and children. In her later years, Alvarez experimented with abstraction, mythology, and mystical symbolism. Her paintings are held in major museums and continue to influence contemporary artists drawn to her unique blend of realism and transcendence.

José Iturbi was born in Valencia and rose to fame as a piano prodigy after studying at the Madrid Royal Conservatory. He conducted prestigious orchestras, including the Rochester Philharmonic and Hollywood Bowl, winning acclaim for his dynamic style. In the 1940s, Iturbi starred in several Hollywood musicals, introducing classical music to wider audiences. His recordings of Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff are celebrated for their technical brilliance and expressive depth. Iturbi's charismatic presence and dedication to music education inspired generations of performers.

Born in Cairo to Turkish parents, İhap Hulusi Görey studied at the Royal College of Fine Arts in Istanbul. His vibrant Art Deco–inspired posters promoted cinema, tourism, and state institutions with striking typography and color. Görey's work earned him the nickname 'Turkish Raphael' and set new standards in commercial art. His designs for Turkish Steamship Lines and national festivals remain celebrated examples of early modern graphic design. He influenced generations of designers, leaving a lasting legacy in Turkey's cultural history.

Mary Bothwell studied voice at the Toronto Conservatory of Music and debuted with the Canadian Opera Company in the 1920s. Her repertoire ranged from Mozart to contemporary works, earning praise for her clear diction and emotional range. In parallel to her singing career, she developed a passion for painting, creating atmospheric watercolors of rural and urban scenes. Bothwell exhibited her art in Canadian galleries and received acclaim for her lyrical compositions and delicate color palette. Her dual talents made her a celebrated figure in Canada's cultural life, with recordings and paintings preserved in national archives.

Bampton made her Met debut in 1937 and went on to create a series of demanding dramatic soprano roles over two decades. She was praised for her rich tone and dramatic intensity in works by Wagner, Verdi, and Strauss. After retiring from the stage, she joined the faculty of the Eastman School of Music, influencing generations of singers. Bampton's students benefited from her technical expertise and deep understanding of operatic repertoire. Her legacy lives on through the many performers she trained.