February 16

Kanō Eitoku was a master Japanese painter and head of the Kanō school during the Azuchi-Momoyama period. Born in 1543 into the renowned Kanō family, he served warlords such as Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Eitoku is celebrated for his monumental fusuma and byōbu screen paintings featuring bold compositions and striking use of gold leaf. He developed the 'taiga' or 'great style', which influenced Japanese art for centuries. As an educator, he trained many pupils and expanded the Kanō school's dominance in court and temple commissions. His dynamic style and technical skill set a standard for Japanese painting well into the Edo period.

Born in Saluzzo, Bodoni trained under the court printer at Parma and established his own press in 1764. He became the official printer to the Duke of Parma, producing some of the era’s most beautifully crafted books. Bodoni’s typefaces featured high contrast strokes, refined serifs, and precise letterforms, epitomizing neoclassical aesthetics. His Manuale Tipografico, published posthumously in 1818, showcased his complete collection of fonts and printing techniques. In addition to his printing work, Bodoni was an accomplished engraver and book designer. His legacy endures as the Bodoni typeface remains widely used in publishing, fashion, and graphic design.

A student of Giovanni Battista Viotti, Rode became a professor at the Paris Conservatoire and toured extensively across Europe. He was admired for his refined technique, warm tone, and emotive interpretations. Rode composed 13 violin concertos, as well as chamber works and études that remain central to violin pedagogy. His 24 Caprices are still studied by violinists for their technical and musical challenges. Beethoven and other contemporaries recognized his artistry, with Beethoven writing variations on a theme by Rode. Rode’s contributions helped shape the development of Romantic violin performance in the early 19th century.

Born on the island of Borgøy in 1830, Hertervig trained at the Düsseldorf Academy and embraced the Romantic tradition. Struggling with mental health issues, he produced visionary watercolor landscapes characterized by glowing light and mute color. His works, largely unappreciated in his lifetime, gained recognition in the 20th century for their poetic atmosphere. Hertervig’s paintings capture the interplay of sea, sky, and land, influencing later generations of Nordic artists. He spent his final years in poverty but left behind a body of work celebrated as a national treasure in Norway.

Born in Paris in 1841, Guillaumin worked as a lithographer before joining the Impressionist circle alongside Monet and Pissarro. His intense use of color and loose brushwork captured the light and atmosphere of the French countryside and urban scenes. Despite financial hardship, he exhibited regularly with the Impressionists and gained recognition later in life. His friendship with Van Gogh led to several collaborative works, and they shared a passion for vivid hues. Guillaumin continued painting into his eighties, leaving a legacy of richly hued landscapes when he died in 1927.

Pamela Colman Smith was born in 1878 in London, England. She studied at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn and illustrated books and postcards early in her career. As a member of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, Smith collaborated with mystic A.E. Waite to create the Rider-Waite tarot deck in 1909, which remains the standard for tarot readings. Her bold, expressive artwork brought rich symbolism and accessibility to the cards, influencing countless artists and occultists. Smith also illustrated works by W.B. Yeats and collaborated with publications such as The Yellow Book. Despite her significant contributions to art and esotericism, she died in relative obscurity in 1951. In recent decades, her work has been rediscovered and celebrated by tarot enthusiasts and art historians alike.

Wayne King was an American musician, bandleader, and songwriter celebrated for his romantic waltzes and easy listening style. Born in Savannah, Georgia, he formed his orchestra in the 1920s and gained nationwide fame through live performances and radio programs. His signature tune, 'The Waltz You Saved for Me,' became a timeless classic and solidified his nickname, the 'Waltz King.' King's orchestra recorded extensively and toured internationally, bringing dance music to audiences around the world. He continued to perform on television into the 1950s, adapting to new media while maintaining his elegant sound. King’s contributions helped popularize big band music and dance culture in mid-century America.

Born in Mineola, Texas, in 1914, Jimmy Wakely began his career singing in local radio stations before joining a Western music group. He launched a solo singing career in the 1940s, scoring hits with ballads and up-tempo Western tunes. Wakely starred in a series of Republic Pictures Western films, building a reputation as a singing cowboy. He later hosted radio and television shows, bringing country music to wider audiences. With his smooth baritone and charismatic presence, Wakely influenced future generations of country artists. He retired in the 1970s and died in 1982, leaving a legacy in both music and film.

Born in Philadelphia in 1916, Bill Doggett began playing piano in local jazz clubs before joining top touring bands. He became a sought-after organist for artists like Louis Jordan and Ella Fitzgerald in the 1940s. In 1956, Doggett released 'Honky Tonk,' an instrumental that dominated R&B charts and crossed over to pop audiences. His distinctive groove and improvisational flair influenced early rock and roll and soul musicians. Doggett continued to record and perform into the 1980s, showcasing his skills on Hammond organ and piano. He passed away in 1996, remembered as a pioneer of R&B organ sound.

Born in Copenhagen in 1919, Georges Ulmer moved to France to pursue careers in music and acting. He composed the hit song 'Pigalle,' which became a signature tune for French cabaret and television. Ulmer appeared in several French films and stage productions, showcasing his talents on screen and stage. His musical style blended melodic sophistication with the lively spirit of Paris nightlife. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Ulmer remained a respected figure in French entertainment. He died in 1989, leaving behind a beloved catalog of songs and performances.

Samuel Willenberg was a Polish-born artist and one of the last survivors of the Treblinka extermination camp. Born in Częstochowa in 1923, he endured brutal conditions and took part in the camp's 1943 prisoner uprising. After the war, Willenberg immigrated to Israel, where he pursued a career in sculpture and painting, creating works that memorialize Holocaust victims. His pieces have been exhibited internationally and are featured at the Treblinka memorial site. Willenberg also authored memoirs recounting his experiences and lectured on Holocaust remembrance until his death in 2016. His art and testimony serve as powerful reminders of resilience and the human cost of genocide.

Ed Emshwiller was an American visual artist and experimental filmmaker whose career spanned illustration, film, and digital media. Born in 1925, he gained acclaim for his striking science fiction magazine covers for publications like Galaxy and Asimov's Science Fiction. In the 1960s, he shifted to avant-garde filmmaking, producing experimental shorts that explored themes of perception and technology. Emshwiller taught at CalArts, founding its film program and mentoring future generations of artists. He also collaborated on pioneering video art projects, earning multiple grants and awards for his innovative approach. His multidisciplinary legacy continues to influence contemporary illustration and experimental cinema. He passed away in 1990, leaving a lasting imprint on the art world.