February 12

Born in Regensburg around 1480, Altdorfer became one of the leading figures of the Danube School. He produced some of the earliest independent landscape paintings, elevating nature as a subject. His notable works include 'Danube Landscape near Regensburg' (1520) and the Battle of Alexander series. As a civic architect, he designed public buildings and contributed to Regensburg’s urban development. Altdorfer’s engravings and woodcuts influenced Northern European printmaking. He died on February 12, 1538, leaving a legacy as a pioneer in German Renaissance art.

Born in 1653 in Castelfranco Veneto, Agostino Steffani entered the priesthood early while developing his musical talents. He served as court composer for the Elector of Hanover, producing operas that blended Italian style with courtly tastes. Steffani wrote numerous chamber cantatas, oratorios, and sacred works noted for their dramatic flair and intricate textures. Beyond music, he was entrusted with diplomatic missions for both the Elector and the Vatican, leveraging his elite connections. His operas were performed across Europe, influencing contemporaries and later composers like Handel. Steffani's ability to navigate both ecclesiastical and musical circles made him a unique figure of the Baroque era. He died in 1728, leaving a legacy of pioneering theatrical and sacred compositions.

Randolph Caldecott was celebrated for his spirited and humorous illustrations for nursery rhymes and children's tales. Born in Derbyshire in 1846, he trained as a painter before turning to book illustration. His dynamic compositions and expressive characters set new standards in visual storytelling. Caldecott's work in London and later in America inspired future generations of illustrators. The prestigious Caldecott Medal, established in 1937, honors outstanding picture book illustrators in his name. His art remains beloved for its charm, vitality, and influential role in the history of children's literature. He passed away in 1886, leaving a lasting impact on illustration and publishing.

Hans von Bülow was one of the first conductors to shape the modern symphony orchestra. Born in Munich in 1830, he studied piano under Franz Liszt and became a celebrated virtuoso. He premiered works by Richard Wagner and Johannes Brahms, championing new music across Europe. Von Bülow held prestigious posts in Munich, Meiningen, and later in Berlin as Hofkapellmeister. He was also a prolific composer of piano études and songs, though his conducting legacy is paramount. His marriage to Cosima Liszt connected him to the Wagnerian circle, influencing the performance of opera. Von Bülow's innovative baton technique and interpretative insights transformed orchestral practice before his death in 1894.

Ambroise Thomas became director of the Paris Conservatoire, shaping French musical education. Born in Metz in 1811, he studied under Fromental Halévy and won the Prix de Rome in 1832. His operas 'Mignon' (1866) and 'Hamlet' (1868) were acclaimed for their melodic richness and dramatic depth. Thomas's music blended lyricism with orchestral color, reflecting the Romantic era's sensibilities. He taught notable students such as Jules Massenet and influenced generations of composers. His tenure at the Conservatoire saw reforms in curriculum and performance standards. Thomas died in 1896, leaving a significant mark on 19th-century French opera and pedagogy.

Émile Waldteufel gained fame for his graceful and memorable salon dances during the Belle Époque. Born in Strasbourg in 1837, he came from a musical family and began composing at a young age. His most popular work, 'Les Patineurs' ('The Skater's Waltz'), became a staple of orchestral repertoire. Waldteufel toured Europe and the United States, conducting orchestras and popularizing his music. His waltzes blend refined melodies with sparkling orchestration, capturing the elegance of 19th-century social dance. He influenced later generations of dance composers and remains a beloved figure in light classical music. Waldteufel died in 1915, leaving behind a legacy of charming and sophisticated salon pieces.

Lillie Langtry was born Emilie Charlotte Le Breton on October 13, 1853, on the island of Jersey. She gained international fame as the Jersey Lily, admired by Queen Victoria and the Prince of Wales. Langtry enjoyed a successful theatre career on both sides of the Atlantic and became one of the first actresses to transition into early film. Her beauty and charm made her a leading socialite, hosting salons for artists, writers, and politicians. She married Lt. Colonel Sir Hugh Shakespeare and later Edward Langtry, becoming Lady de Bathe. Langtry’s pioneering film roles and vibrant social life left an enduring mark on the performing arts.

Grant Wood was born in 1891 in Anamosa, Iowa, and studied art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He became a leading figure in the Regionalist art movement, celebrating rural American themes. Wood’s most famous work, "American Gothic" (1930), remains one of the most recognized paintings in the United States. He taught at the University of Iowa and mentored a generation of American artists. Wood also designed stage sets and created portraits that captured the spirit of the Midwest. He died of pancreatic cancer in 1942, leaving a lasting influence on American art.

Dziga Vertov was born Denis Kaufman in 1896 in Białystok, then part of Poland. He adopted the pen name Vertov and joined the Bolshevik movement after the Russian Revolution. Vertov directed groundbreaking documentaries, including "Man with a Movie Camera" (1929). He developed the Kinoki-eye theory, advocating for the use of film to capture life as it is. His montage techniques and newsreel series Kino-Pravda influenced generations of filmmakers. Vertov died in 1954, leaving a legacy as a father of documentary cinema and cinematic experimentation.

Eubie Blake was a pioneering African American composer and performer of ragtime and early jazz music. He made his Broadway debut at age 60 with the hit musical Shuffle Along, one of the first Broadway shows written and directed by African Americans. Over his career, Blake composed hundreds of songs, including I'm Just Wild About Harry, earning him the title of ragtime legend. His energetic piano style and memorable melodies influenced generations of musicians. Blake continued performing well into his 90s, receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1981.

Roger Patterson co-founded the influential Florida death metal band Atheist, contributing groundbreaking bass lines that fused jazz harmony with extreme metal intensity. His work on the album Unquestionable Presence is often cited as a masterclass in technical metal musicianship. Known for his fast fingerwork and inventive riffs, Patterson inspired countless bassists in the metal community. Tragically, he died in a car accident at age 23, but his musical legacy continues to resonate among fans and musicians.

Donald Judd rejected traditional painting in the 1960s to focus on three-dimensional works characterized by clean lines and industrial materials. His signature metal and plywood boxes, installed directly on the floor or wall, challenged conventions of space and form. Judd’s writings and his Marfa, Texas installations profoundly impacted contemporary art theory and practice. He advocated for artists’ rights and established the Chinati Foundation to preserve and display large-scale works. Judd’s legacy endures as a pillar of minimalism.