January 18

Born in 1819, Baldassare Verazzi studied at the Brera Academy in Milan, where he excelled in academic painting. He gained acclaim for works depicting moments of national significance, reflecting the spirit of the Italian Risorgimento. In 1859, Verazzi emigrated to Argentina, where he decorated public buildings and taught the next generation of artists. His dynamic compositions and masterful use of color bridged European techniques with Latin American themes. Verazzi's paintings remain in museums and galleries in Europe and South America, testament to his international impact.

Virgil Finlay (1914–1971) began his career illustrating fanzines before breaking into professional pulp magazines in the 1930s. He became famous for his precise stippling and crosshatching techniques, creating richly textured black-and-white images. Finlay contributed to publications such as Weird Tales, Planet Stories, and Amazing Stories. His work captured the imagination of readers with scenes of cosmic landscapes, mythical creatures, and heroic figures. Over his four-decade career, he produced thousands of illustrations and covers, influencing future generations of fantasy artists. Finlay’s legacy endures through collections, exhibitions, and the continued admiration of his visionary art.

Cecil Beaton was an influential British fashion photographer and designer whose work defined elegance in the 20th century. Born in 1904, he rose to fame for his striking black-and-white portraits of celebrities, royalty, and social elites. Beaton's talent extended to costume design for stage and screen, earning him two Academy Awards for his work. He chronicled high society life and wartime experiences through his celebrated diaries and exhibitions. His iconic images of the British Royal Family remain among his most enduring legacies. Beaton's flamboyant style and creative vision continue to inspire photographers and designers worldwide.

Vassilis Tsitsanis was a central figure in Greek music, born in 1915. As a singer-songwriter and master of the bouzouki, he blended traditional rebetiko with folk melodies. His prolific compositions in the 1930s and 1940s helped popularize the bouzouki across Greece. Tsitsanis operated recording studios in Thessaloniki and Athens, influencing generations of musicians. His songs often explored themes of love, hardship, and social change with poetic depth. He is remembered as one of Greece's most beloved and enduring musical icons.

Melanie Appleby was one half of the successful British pop duo Mel & Kim, born in 1966. Alongside her sister Kim, she scored multiple UK Top 10 hits in the late 1980s. Their energetic performances and catchy tunes like 'Respectable' made them pop icons. Appleby's soulful voice and charismatic stage presence endeared her to fans worldwide. Her promising career was tragically cut short when she passed away from cancer in 1990. Mel & Kim's legacy continues to influence pop music and dance acts today.

Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky was the first female Austrian architect, graduating from the Vienna Technical University in 1927. She designed the Frankfurt Kitchen in 1926, a prototype for efficient, affordable housing that revolutionized modern domestic architecture. A committed socialist, she worked on social housing projects in Austria and the Soviet Union. During World War II, she joined the Austrian resistance and was arrested by the Gestapo. After the war, she lectured and continued to advocate for functional design and women’s roles in architecture. Over her career, she left a legacy of innovation in urban planning and housing design that influenced generations of architects.

Brent Liles joined Social Distortion in 1981 and played bass on their debut album Mommy's Little Monster, a landmark of Southern California punk rock. After leaving the band in 1984, he toured and recorded with the influential punk outfit Agent Orange. Liles's driving bass lines and stage presence helped shape the sound of American punk in its formative years. He later worked outside the music industry, joining the California Highway Patrol. In 2007, Liles died in a traffic accident while bicycling in California. His contributions to punk music are remembered by fans and fellow musicians alike.

Frank Lewin was an American composer and theorist who created music for stage productions, films, and television programs. Born in 1925, he studied composition at the Juilliard School and later became a respected educator in music theory. His compositions spanned a variety of genres, from chamber music to electronic scores. He authored influential writings on music analysis and pedagogy. Lewin’s work left a lasting impact on American classical and media music before his death in 2008.

Tony Hart was an English painter and television host who inspired generations of young artists through his BBC programs. Born in 1925, he gained fame with the show Vision On, later presenting the long-running Hartbeat. His engaging style and creative demonstrations popularized art education for children. Hart also exhibited his own paintings and supported arts outreach initiatives. He influenced the field of art broadcasting until his death in 2009.

Kate McGarrigle was a Canadian musician and singer-songwriter who gained acclaim alongside her sister Anna in the folk duo the McGarrigle Sisters. Born in 1946 in Quebec, she combined Celtic, folk, and traditional influences in her songwriting. The sisters released critically praised albums and collaborated with artists such as Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris. McGarrigle’s emotive vocals and poignant lyrics earned them Juno Awards and international recognition. Her work has inspired generations of folk musicians and continues to be celebrated after her death in 2010.

Born in Goa in 1927, Anthony Gonsalves moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in music and collaborated with leading Bollywood composers. He served as a master teacher at the Film and Television Institute of India, mentoring generations of film musicians. Gonsalves's innovative fusion of Indian melodies with Western harmonies helped define the sound of Hindi cinema in the 1960s and 1970s. He composed educational music pieces and championed music education across India. His legacy endures through his students and the iconic film scores he arranged.