April 06

Born Raffaello Sanzio in Urbino in 1483, Raphael became one of the leading figures of the High Renaissance. He was apprenticed to the court painter Pietro Perugino and later moved to Florence, where he absorbed techniques from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Summoned to Rome by Pope Julius II, Raphael executed some of his most celebrated works, including the frescoes of the Stanze di Raffaello in the Vatican. He also contributed to architecture, collaborating on designs for St. Peter's Basilica. Raphael's work is admired for its clarity of form, balanced composition, and graceful figures. He died suddenly in 1520 at the age of 37, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the course of Western art.

Born in Nuremberg in 1471, Albrecht Dürer was a prodigious talent who revolutionized printmaking in the Renaissance. Apprenticed to his goldsmith father and later training in journeyman workshops, he mastered woodcut and engraving techniques. During travels to Italy, Dürer studied the works of Italian masters and incorporated principles of proportion and perspective into his art. He produced iconic works such as the Apocalypse series, Knight, Death, and the Devil, and Melencolia I, each demonstrating his technical precision and imaginative power. Dürer also authored treatises on geometry, perspective, and human proportions, bridging art and science. He died in 1528, leaving a profound influence on Northern European art and theoretical studies.

Domenico Zampieri (1581–1641), known as Domenichino, was a leading Italian Baroque painter of the Bolognese school. He trained under Annibale Carracci and adopted a style marked by classical balance and expressive clarity. In Rome, he executed celebrated fresco cycles in the Villa Farnese at Caprarola and the church of San Gregorio Magno al Celio. His works combined emotional depth with harmonious compositions, influencing generations of Baroque artists. In his later years, Domenichino worked in Naples, creating altarpieces and devotional images for major churches. His mastery of light and form cemented his reputation among the great painters of 17th-century Italy.

Leonora Baroni (1611–1670) was an Italian soprano, lutenist and composer celebrated for her virtuosic performances at the papal court and in the salons of Rome. Daughter of the musician and composer Adriano Baroni, she mastered the lute and theorbo and developed a refined and expressive singing style. Her reputation earned her invitations to perform for Pope Urban VIII and later for the court of Louis XIII in Paris. Although few of her compositions survive, she was admired for her improvisatory ornamentation and emotional depth. Baroni's artistry influenced subsequent generations of Baroque performers and composers. Her legacy endures as one of the most distinguished female musicians of the early 17th century.

Willem van de Velde the Younger (1633–1707) was a Dutch marine artist celebrated for his precise ship portraits and evocative depictions of naval engagements. Trained by his father, Willem van de Velde the Elder, he mastered both drawing and oil painting techniques to capture the nuances of wind, water and rigging. In 1672, he moved to England under the patronage of Charles II and served as court painter documenting the Royal Navy. His works influenced marine painting throughout Europe and remain important records of 17th-century naval history. Van de Velde's paintings are held in major collections, including the National Maritime Museum in London. He died in London in 1707, leaving a legacy as one of the foremost marine painters of his time.

Born in 1757 to a minor Ukrainian noble family, Borovikovsky initially trained in icon painting. He traveled to Italy to study the fine arts and adopted elements of neoclassicism. Returning to Russia, he gained favor at the court of Catherine the Great and painted portraits of aristocracy and royalty. His works are noted for their delicate rendering of fabrics and sensitive portrayal of character. In addition to painting, he taught at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. Borovikovsky's art bridged Ukrainian folk traditions and European classical influences, leaving a lasting mark on Russian portraiture.

Rose O'Neill was born in 1874 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and showed artistic talent from a young age. She studied art in Chicago and New York before becoming the first female syndicated cartoonist with her work appearing in publications such as Puck and Life. In 1909, she introduced the Kewpie illustrations, cherubic cupids that quickly captured the public imagination and led to one of the first mass-marketed dolls in the United States. Beyond her success as an illustrator, O'Neill wrote novels and poems and was an active supporter of the women's suffrage movement. Later in life, she settled in Topolobampo, Mexico, and Nantucket, where she continued her creative pursuits. Her pioneering career broke gender barriers in the arts and left a lasting cultural legacy. She died in 1944.

Born in Oranienbaum, Russia, in 1882, Stravinsky studied under Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov before rising to fame with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. His early works like The Firebird, Petrushka, and The Rite of Spring revolutionized music with their rhythmic complexity and bold orchestration. After settling in Switzerland and later France, he embraced neoclassicism, composing works such as Pulcinella and Symphony of Psalms. In 1939 he moved to the United States, where he continued to innovate with serial and octatonic techniques. Stravinsky was also a skilled conductor and pianist, championing his own music and that of his contemporaries. His prolific output included operas, chamber works, and sacred music, influencing generations of composers. He died in 1971 in New York, leaving a legacy as one of the most important musical figures of the 20th century.

Born in Amsterdam in 1884, Dudok trained in fine arts before joining the municipal office as an architect. In 1928 he was appointed municipal architect of Hilversum, where he designed the iconic Town Hall, completed in 1931. His work blended functionalism with expressive brickwork, large windows, and careful site planning, influencing European modern architecture. Dudok also designed schools, housing estates, and civic buildings throughout the Netherlands. He lectured and wrote on architectural theory, advocating for harmony between structures and their environment. His designs won international acclaim and inspired architects worldwide. Dudok retired in 1956 but continued consulting until his death in 1974, leaving a lasting imprint on 20th-century architecture.

Born in 1893, Vasilyov studied architecture in Vienna before returning to Bulgaria to practice. He partnered with Stancho Belkovski to form a leading architectural firm that shaped Sofia's modern landscape. His most celebrated project is the National Library building completed in 1953, combining Neoclassical and modernist elements. Vasilyov also designed theaters, cultural centers, and residential buildings, often emphasizing grand facades and functional layouts. His theoretical writings explored the integration of classical motifs with contemporary construction techniques. He received national awards for his contributions to public architecture. Vasilyov continued to work and mentor young architects until his death in 1979, leaving a rich portfolio of landmark structures.

Tammy Wynette rose from humble beginnings to become one of country music’s most enduring stars, famed for her 1968 hit 'Stand by Your Man.' She released over 20 studio albums and earned multiple awards, including three Grammy nominations. Wynette’s emotive vocal style and poignant songs resonated with millions, securing her place in the Country Music Hall of Fame. Despite personal struggles and health challenges, she continued to record and perform until her death in 1998. Her legacy endures through her influence on generations of country artists.

Red Norvo was a pioneering jazz musician born in 1908 who popularized the vibraphone in jazz ensembles. He collaborated with legends such as Benny Goodman, Charlie Parker, and Mildred Bailey, and led his own bands during the swing and bebop eras. Known for his fluid improvisations and rhythmic inventiveness, Norvo earned the moniker 'Mr. Swing.' He continued performing into his later years, adapting to evolving jazz styles and mentoring younger musicians. His work helped establish the vibraphone as a staple instrument in jazz percussion.