December 28

A pupil of Donatello, he became renowned for his refined bronze reliefs and portrait medals. He served as master of the Medici Academy, mentoring young artists including the future Michelangelo. His works blended classical motifs with emerging Renaissance ideals of naturalism. He contributed decorative sculptures for civic and private commissions in Florence. His death in 1491 marked the loss of a key figure in early Renaissance art pedagogy.

Born in Pirna in 1527, Finck studied music at the University of Wittenberg. He served as a court organist in Dresden and gained renown for his performance skills. In 1556, he published 'Practica musica', one of the earliest comprehensive works on music theory in Germany. His compositions include motets, settings of Psalms, and keyboard works that reflect the stylistic transition of the period. Finck's contributions helped shape the development of German Renaissance music before his untimely death in 1558.

Antonio Caldara was a prominent Italian Baroque composer born in Venice in 1670. He gained fame for his operas, cantatas, and oratorios, blending Venetian musical traditions with the Viennese court style. Caldara served as maestro di cappella at the Habsburg court in Vienna, where he composed works for imperial ceremonies. His opera 'La clemenza di Tito' was celebrated for its dramatic intensity and melodic inventiveness. In addition to operatic works, he composed numerous masses and other sacred pieces that showcased his mastery of choral writing.

Dennis Miller Bunker was born in Boston in 1861 and showed early talent as a painter. He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris and was influenced by French Impressionism. Bunker became known for his luminous brushwork and refined color palette in both landscapes and figure paintings. His works often depict serene natural scenes with a striking interplay of light and shadow. Despite his untimely death at age 29, he left a lasting impact on American art and influenced future generations of painters.

Eduard Strauss was born in 1835 in Vienna. He studied violin and composition under his father's guidance. He performed as a soloist and later took over the family orchestra. He arranged and conducted numerous waltzes and polkas, gaining acclaim across Europe. His leadership helped to maintain the Strauss family's musical legacy. Strauss's works continue to be celebrated in concert halls around the world.

Léon Bakst was born in 1866 in Grodno, in the Russian Empire. He became a prominent stage designer and painter, best known for his work with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Bakst's costume and set designs for productions like 'Scheherazade' and 'The Firebird' captivated audiences with their lavish color and intricate detail. His style combined Orientalist themes with Art Nouveau influences, leaving a profound impact on early 20th-century theatrical design. Bakst also produced portraits and decorative panel paintings, exhibiting across Europe. He died in 1924, remembered as one of the most influential stage designers of his era.

Clarence Shepard Day Jr. was born in 1874 in Wilmington, North Carolina. He gained fame with his humorous and nostalgic memoir 'Life with Father', published in 1935. Day's writings blended witty anecdotes with illustrations, capturing family life in late 19th-century New York. The success of his book led to a Broadway play and later a Hollywood film adaptation. Aside from writing, he provided drawings for magazines like Literary Digest and Harper's Weekly. He died in 1935, but his portrayal of family humor remains beloved.

Joseph Maurice Ravel was born in 1875 in Ciboure, France. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and quickly gained recognition for his original compositions. Ravel's works, including 'Boléro', 'Daphnis et Chloé', and 'La Valse', showcase his innovative orchestration and harmonic language. He was associated with Impressionism, though his style was uniquely refined and precise. Ravel also enjoyed an international career as a concert pianist, performing his own pieces. He died in 1937, and his music continues to be celebrated for its elegance and technical mastery.

Born in Warsaw in 1882, Nadelman trained at European academies before settling in New York in 1914. He became known for his elegant, simplified sculptures that combined folk motifs with modernist form. His works were featured in major exhibitions in Paris and New York, earning critical acclaim. He also amassed an extensive folk art collection, reflecting his deep interest in traditional craftsmanship. Despite financial hardships during the Great Depression, he continued creating art until his final years. He died in 1946, remembered as a trailblazer who shaped the course of American sculpture.

Born in 1895 in Hanau, Hindemith displayed musical talent as a violist and composer from a young age. He composed prolifically, creating chamber works, operas, and orchestral pieces that blended traditional forms with modern ideas. His theory of 'Gebrauchsmusik' advocated music’s practical role in society. After emigrating to the United States in 1940, he taught at Yale University, influencing a generation of musicians. Hindemith’s conducting career took him to leading orchestras and premieres around the world. He returned to Europe post-war and continued composing until his death in 1963, leaving a vast and varied legacy.

Max Steiner (1888–1971) was an Austrian-born composer, pianist, and conductor who helped define the sound of Hollywood’s Golden Age. He emigrated to the United States in 1914 and began composing for silent films. His pioneering use of leitmotifs and lush orchestral scores set new standards for film music. He won three Academy Awards for Best Original Score, including for Gone with the Wind and Adventures of Robin Hood. His work on King Kong remains one of the most celebrated film scores of all time. Over his six-decade career, he scored more than 300 films, leaving an enduring legacy on cinematic soundtracks.

Dennis Wilson (1944–1983) was an American musician who co-founded The Beach Boys and served as the band’s drummer. He was the only genuine surfer in the group, inspiring the band’s early sound and emotional depth. Wilson contributed notable songs like “Forever” and “Little Bird” and released a solo album, Pacific Ocean Blue. His raw vocals and heartfelt lyrics added a unique edge to the band’s polished harmonies. Despite personal struggles, his influence on rock music and California sound endures. He drowned in 1983 at age 39, leaving behind a legacy of musical innovation.