February 24

Cherubino Alberti (1553-1615) was an Italian engraver and painter active in Rome during the late Renaissance. He was renowned for his detailed copperplate engravings of classical sculptures and works by Michelangelo. Alberti collaborated with artists such as Vasari, contributing designs for frescoes in papal palaces. His precise technique influenced printmaking standards and helped spread Italian art across Europe. Besides engraving, he painted ceilings and altarpieces in Roman churches, blending Mannerist and early Baroque styles. His work preserved and disseminated Renaissance masterpieces for generations of collectors and art lovers.

Born in Paris in 1619, Charles Le Brun studied with Simon Vouet before being invited to Rome by Cardinal Richelieu. He became the principal painter to King Louis XIV and oversaw the decoration of the Palace of Versailles, creating monumental works that defined French classicism. As the first director of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture, Le Brun established the academic standards and artistic canon of the era. He authored influential treatises on expression and composition, including ‘Méthode pour apprendre à dessiner les passions’. His work shaped the direction of European art in the 17th century, and he died in 1690.

Charles Frederick Horn was born in Germany in 1762 and later settled in England, where he became a prominent composer and music teacher. He is best known for his glees and catches, which were popular in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Horn served as a music tutor at the royal court and influenced the development of English choral tradition. He published collections of English songs and compiled instructional manuals that shaped music education. His blend of German compositional style with English tastes left an enduring mark on British musical life.

Johan Christian Dahl was born in 1788 in Norway and later studied in Germany under master artists. He became one of the first painters to depict Norwegian landscapes with dramatic realism, earning him recognition across Europe. Dahl's works captured the rugged beauty of fjords, mountains, and rural life, influencing Romantic art movements. He taught at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts and mentored many younger artists. His legacy endures in national museums and the development of a distinct Norwegian artistic identity.

Samuel Lover, born in 1797 in Dublin, was a versatile Irish artist who excelled as a composer, writer, and painter. He gained fame for his musical dramas and ballads that captured the spirit of rural Ireland. As a novelist, he explored Irish themes and characters, blending humor with social commentary. Lover's paintings and sketches often accompanied his literary works, showcasing his visual talent. His lively performances and writings shaped the portrayal of Irish culture during the Victorian era.

Born in Boston, Homer started as a freelance illustrator for magazines and newspapers. During the Civil War he produced compelling sketches for Harper’s Weekly. He later settled in Prout’s Neck, Maine, where he created iconic seascapes such as ‘Breezing Up’ and ‘The Gulf Stream’. Homer mastered watercolor techniques, elevating the medium to fine art. His powerful use of light and water remains influential in American art history.

Born in Padua, Boito was a leading figure of the Scapigliatura movement, challenging artistic conventions. His dramatic opera ‘Mefistofele’ premiered in 1868 and established his reputation. Boito wrote the libretti for Verdi’s late masterpieces ‘Otello’ and ‘Falstaff’, marrying poetic depth with musical innovation. He also contributed essays and articles on music and politics and served as a conductor. Boito’s influence bridged the romantic and verismo eras in Italian opera.

Rudolph Ganz was born in 1877 in Switzerland and began studying piano at a young age. He made his public debut in Zurich before moving to the United States to build a multifaceted career. As a conductor, he introduced American audiences to contemporary European composers and works. Ganz also composed chamber pieces and piano works that reflected late-Romantic and early-modern styles. He served as a professor at several institutions, influencing generations of pianists and musicians. Ganz continued performing and teaching well into his later years, passing away in 1972 at age 95.

Born in 1885 into a family of artists and intellectuals, Witkiewicz emerged as a leading avant-garde figure in Poland. He wrote experimental plays and novels exploring existential and metaphysical themes. Under the pseudonym 'Witkacy,' he developed a personal philosophy reflected in his 'Pure Form' art theory. As a painter, he created bold portraits and abstract compositions that challenged artistic conventions. Witkiewicz's interdisciplinary work influenced modernist literature and visual arts in Europe. He died by suicide in 1939 as war engulfed Poland, leaving behind a multifaceted creative legacy.

Ralph Erskine was an English-Swedish architect celebrated for his innovative and socially responsible designs. After graduating from the University of Cambridge, he moved to Sweden in 1939 and became a leading figure in Scandinavian modernism. His notable projects include The Ark office building in Stockholm and the Byker Wall housing estate in Newcastle upon Tyne. Erskine emphasized community, sustainability, and human needs in his architectural philosophy. He received the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1984 for his contributions to architecture. Throughout his career, he advocated for environmental integration and affordable housing solutions. Erskine's work continues to influence architects interested in blending modern design with social purpose.

Weldon Kees was an American multi-disciplinary artist known for his poetry, short stories, paintings, and jazz-inspired piano performances. He published several collections of modernist verse in the late 1940s and was associated with the San Francisco Renaissance. Kees also wrote experimental fiction and created abstract expressionist paintings. His life ended in mystery when he disappeared in 1955, leaving only a cryptic note and unrecovered body. Scholars and enthusiasts have speculated about the circumstances of his disappearance for decades. Kees's work is admired for its lyrical intensity and exploration of postwar American consciousness. His contributions to literature and art continue to be rediscovered and reevaluated.

John Carl Warnecke was an American architect best known for designing the eternal flame memorial at President John F. Kennedy's gravesite in Arlington National Cemetery. A graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he blended modernism with historical context in his work. Warnecke also crafted the master plan for the University of California, Santa Cruz, integrating buildings into the natural landscape. His portfolio includes government buildings, campuses, and urban planning projects across the United States. He served in World War II before establishing his firm in San Francisco. Warnecke received numerous awards for his balanced approach to design and preservation. His legacy endures in iconic American public spaces he helped shape.