February 14

Born in Genoa, Italy in 1404, he emerged as a leading humanist of the Renaissance. Alberti wrote seminal treatises on architecture and painting that influenced generations of artists. His work 'De re aedificatoria' was the first modern book on architecture. He excelled as a poet and studied classical literature to revive ancient ideals. As a philosopher, he explored ethics, aesthetics, and the nature of beauty. Alberti's vision of the ideal city blended harmony, proportion, and innovation. He also practiced as a skilled architect and designed notable buildings in Florence. His interdisciplinary approach epitomized the Renaissance ideal of the universal man.

Born in Bologna in 1513, Ferrabosco was a prominent member of the Ferrabosco musical family. He served as maestro di cappella at Bologna Cathedral and later at the papal chapel in Rome. His madrigals captured the expressive style of the early Renaissance, blending emotion and harmony. Ferrabosco's works were widely published and influenced composers across Italy. He also composed sacred music, including motets and masses for liturgical use. His contributions helped shape the transition from medieval to modern musical forms. Ferrabosco died in 1573, leaving a repertoire celebrated by musicians and scholars alike.

Born as Pietro Francesco Caletti-Bruni in 1602, he later adopted the name Cavalli. Cavalli studied under the great composer Claudio Monteverdi at St. Mark's Basilica. He became one of the foremost opera composers of his time, premiering works at the Venetian Teatro San Cassiano. Cavalli's music blended dramatic storytelling with lyrical melodies, appealing to a broad audience. He wrote over 30 operas, popularizing the genre among both nobility and public theatergoers. His instrumental and sacred works also showcased his versatility and mastery of Baroque idioms. Cavalli's influence endured, laying the groundwork for the flourishing of opera in the 17th century.

Georg Friedrich Kauffmann was born in 1679 and became the esteemed court organist in Ohrdruf, Germany. He composed numerous works for organ and voice, including chorale preludes and cantatas that blended Italianate influences with German Baroque traditions. His published collections of organ works and vocal pieces were widely circulated and influenced subsequent composers. Kauffmann's virtuosity as a performer and his contributions to liturgical music secured his reputation during the Baroque era.

Heinrich Baermann was born in 1784 and gained renown for his exceptional clarinet technique and expressive tone while serving at the Bavarian court. He collaborated with composers such as Carl Maria von Weber and Felix Mendelssohn, who wrote concertos and chamber works for him. Baermann's performances elevated the clarinet to prominence as a solo instrument and influenced the development of modern clarinet design. He died in 1847, leaving a lasting impact on the Romantic repertory.

Walenty Wańkowicz was a Polish painter and illustrator active during the early 19th century. He specialized in portraiture and historical scenes that reflected the Romantic movement in Poland. His illustrations appeared in contemporary books and periodicals, contributing to the era's vibrant cultural life. Wańkowicz often depicted national heroes and folk subjects, celebrating Polish identity under foreign rule. Although details of his life are limited, his surviving works are admired for their expressive detail and composition. Several paintings and illustrations by Wańkowicz are held in Polish museum collections today.

Michael Costa was an Italian-born conductor and composer active in England during the 19th century. Born in Naples in 1808, he studied music locally before gaining recognition as a talented violinist and composer. Costa moved to London in the 1840s, where he became a leading conductor at venues such as Covent Garden. He conducted major orchestras and helped popularize opera in Britain, working with composers like Verdi. In addition to his conducting career, Costa composed operas, symphonies, and choral works. His disciplined approach to orchestral performance influenced British musical standards. Costa remained a central figure in London's musical life until his death in 1884.

Nina Hamnett gained notoriety in the 1910s and 1920s as a vibrant presence among avant-garde artists in Paris. She studied at the Slade School of Fine Art before relocating to Montparnasse, where her portraits and life drawings captured bohemian life. Hamnett's social circle included luminaries such as Matisse, Picasso, and Modigliani, inspiring her bold artistic style. She also penned memoirs and novels, most notably 'Laughing Torso', which recounted her artistic and personal adventures. Her candid writing and bohemian lifestyle made her a celebrated and controversial figure in both art and literary circles. Hamnett's work and personality continue to symbolize the spirited creativity of early 20th-century Paris.

Jessica Dragonette was a pioneering American radio soprano who captivated audiences in the 1920s and 1930s. She became a household name through weekly broadcasts such as the Philco Hour, where her clear, lyrical voice earned her the title "Princess Pat of Music". Dragonette performed in multiple languages, introducing classical and popular repertoire to a broad radio audience. She toured internationally, giving concerts in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Dragonette was also active in charity work, supporting organizations like the American Red Cross during World War II. Her groundbreaking career helped establish classical music on commercial radio.

Thelma Ritter was an American actress whose career spanned stage, film, and television, earning her six Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. She debuted on Broadway in the 1930s before moving to Hollywood, where her portrayals of no-nonsense yet warm characters in films like "All About Eve" and "Rear Window" won critical acclaim. Ritter's comedic timing and distinctive New York accent made her a popular figure among audiences and directors alike. She also showcased her singing talent in musicals and variety shows. Beyond acting, Ritter was known for her kindness and mentorship of younger actors. Her legacy endures as one of the greatest character actresses in American cinema.

Masaki Kobayashi was a pioneering Japanese filmmaker celebrated for his incisive wartime and social dramas. After working as an assistant director, he made his mark with the epic trilogy The Human Condition, a searing critique of militarism. Kobayashi's 1962 film Harakiri earned international acclaim for its exploration of honor and hypocrisy in feudal Japan. His visually stunning horror anthology Kwaidan won the Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1965. Renowned for his humanistic approach and technical mastery, Kobayashi challenged both studio constraints and societal norms. His films remain influential for their moral depth and cinematic innovation.

Born in Greensboro, Alabama, Nell Hall Williams discovered quilting as a medium to explore personal narrative and cultural heritage. She became known for her improvisational style, merging traditional patchwork with bold colors and abstract forms. Williams's quilts have been exhibited in museums and galleries across the United States, earning praise for their emotional resonance and technical innovation. She also taught workshops and mentored emerging textile artists, helping to elevate quilting within the fine art world. Her work continues to inspire a new generation of quilters interested in storytelling through fabric.