January 11

Born Girolamo Francesco Maria Mazzola on January 11, 1503 in Parma, Parmigianino emerged as a leading figure of the Mannerist movement. His works, like "Madonna with the Long Neck" and "Self-portrait in a Convex Mirror," showcase his elegant style. Parmigianino held court appointments with the Farnese family in Rome. He experimented with printmaking techniques and architectural design. Despite a brief career, his influence endured, shaping later Baroque artists. He died in 1540, leaving a lasting mark on Western art history.

Born in 1624, Bastiaan Govertsz van der Leeuw was a Dutch painter associated with the Golden Age. He specialized in capturing rural scenes and wildlife with remarkable realism. Although few of his works survive, they reflect the era’s fascination with nature and detailed composition. His paintings likely adorned the estates of Dutch merchants and nobility. Today, art historians study his contributions to early animal painting in the Netherlands.

Johann Friedrich Alberti, born in 1642, was a German organist who served in prominent churches during the Baroque period. He composed organ preludes, chorale settings, and sacred motets that reflected the rich musical traditions of 17th-century Germany. His keyboard compositions are noted for their intricate counterpoint and expressive depth. Though less widely known today, his music contributed to the development of German Baroque organ repertoire. Scholars continue to rediscover his work in historical archives and recordings.

Born in 1650, Diana Glauber was a Dutch-German painter active during the Baroque era. Working in both the Netherlands and Germany, she produced portraits, still lifes, and religious scenes. At a time when few women artists were acknowledged, her talent earned her commissions from local patrons. Her works display careful attention to detail and rich coloration typical of the period. Though some of her paintings have been lost, she remains an important figure in the history of women in art.

Adolf Eberle was born in Munich in 1843 and studied under Karl Piloty at the Academy of Fine Arts. He specialized in genre paintings that depicted everyday life in rural Bavaria. Eberle gained acclaim for his ability to capture mood and atmosphere in intimate domestic scenes. His works were widely exhibited in Munich, Berlin, and Vienna throughout the late 19th century. Today, his paintings are held in major German museums and remain celebrated for their technical skill and warmth.

Georgios Jakobides was born in 1853 in Greece and received his formal training at the Athens School of Fine Arts before studying at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Influenced by the Munich School, he specialized in sentimental genre scenes, often depicting children and everyday life in rural Greece. His work was celebrated for its technical precision, luminous color palette, and emotional depth. In 1901, Jakobides became the first director of the National Gallery of Greece, where he championed the development of modern Greek art. He remained active in artistic circles until his death in 1932, leaving a lasting legacy in both Greek painting and cultural administration.

Christian Sinding was born in Kongsberg, Norway in 1856 and studied piano and composition with renowned teachers in Oslo and Berlin. He gained early success with his lyrical compositions, chamber music, and orchestral works, drawing influence from German Romanticism. Sinding's most famous piece, 'Frühlingsrauschen,' has become a staple of the piano repertoire. He received numerous honors in Norway, including membership in the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav. Despite later controversies over his political affiliations, Sinding's musical contributions remain celebrated for their melodic charm and technical mastery.

Born in 1870, Alexander Stirling Calder was a prominent American sculptor and educator. He studied in France before returning to the United States to complete public commissions, including war memorials and architectural sculptures. As a professor at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, he influenced a generation of American artists. Calder was part of a renowned artistic family, being the son of Alexander Milne Calder and the father of kinetic sculptor Alexander Calder. His works are noted for their expressive realism and attention to detail. Throughout his career, he balanced artistic practice with teaching, leaving a legacy in both the studio and the classroom. He died in 1945, remembered for his contributions to American public art.

Born in 1875 near Kyiv, Reinhold Glière was a Russian composer and educator who blended folk themes with Romantic orchestration. His most famous works include the 'Ilya Muromets' Symphony and the ballet 'The Red Poppy'. Glière taught at the Moscow Conservatory, where he influenced a generation of Soviet composers. He was honored with numerous awards and titles for his contributions to Soviet music. Glière's compositions are celebrated for their lush harmonies, melodic richness, and incorporation of national motifs. He continued to compose and teach well into his later years, leaving a diverse body of work. He passed away in 1956, regarded as one of the pillars of early Soviet-era composition.

Ellinor Aiki was born on Saaremaa island in 1893 and studied at the Estonian Art Society school. She developed a unique style combining expressionist color with abstract forms and folkloric motifs. Aiki exhibited widely in Estonia during the interwar period, earning acclaim for her landscapes and fantasy scenes. Under Soviet rule, her work was suppressed, but she continued creating and mentoring younger artists. In the 1960s, her art was rediscovered, leading to renewed appreciation and exhibitions of her pioneering vision. Aiki's legacy endures as a key figure in the development of Estonian modern art.

Born in 1902, Maurice Duruflé studied at the Paris Conservatoire under celebrated teachers. He served as organist at Saint-Étienne-du-Mont in Paris for nearly three decades, influencing generations of musicians. Duruflé's compositions, including his acclaimed Requiem op.9, blend Gregorian chant with impressionistic harmony. He won the Prix Blumenthal and received international recognition for his choral and organ works. Duruflé's music is admired for its clarity, elegance, and devotional depth, remaining a staple of sacred repertoire. He died in 1986, leaving behind a modest but profound body of work.

Born Envoy Thomas Duncan on January 11, 1911, in Whitney, Texas, he joined Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys in the early 1930s. His smooth baritone and interpretive singing helped define the Western swing style, leading to hits like 'New San Antonio Rose'. He co-wrote several songs and toured extensively, becoming one of country music's early stars. After leaving the Playboys in 1948, he pursued a solo career and collaborated with various Western swing ensembles. His contributions influenced generations of country and swing musicians, earning him posthumous induction into the Western Swing Society Hall of Fame. He passed away on June 1, 1967, remembered for his distinctive voice and musical innovation.