October 05

Francesco Guardi was born in Venice in 1712 and became one of the last great masters of the Venetian veduta. He developed a distinctive style characterized by loose brushwork, subtle light effects, and poetic renditions of canals and piazzas. Collaborating with contemporaries like Canaletto, Guardi infused his cityscapes with romantic ambiance. His works often featured festive scenes and naturalistic weather conditions, capturing the daily life of Venice. Despite facing financial difficulties, he produced a prolific body of work that influenced later landscape artists. Today his paintings are held in major museums worldwide, celebrated for their charm and vivid color palette.

Giuseppe Gazzaniga was born in 1743 near Verona and trained in music at a local conservatory. He composed over sixty operas, specializing in the comic style of opera buffa that delighted audiences across Italy. His 1787 work "Don Giovanni Tenorio" predated Mozart’s opera on the same legend and showcased his gift for wit and melodic invention. Gazzaniga also taught singing and composition, shaping the next generation of Italian musicians. He balanced a prolific creative output with duties as a maestro di cappella in Venice. Gazzaniga’s operas were celebrated for their engaging plots and memorable arias. He died in 1818, leaving a lasting imprint on the late Baroque opera scene.

Born in Altona in 1803, Westphal studied painting at the Royal Danish Academy and developed a style that captured the interplay of light and nature. His artworks often featured pastoral scenes rendered with realistic detail and emotional depth. He exhibited widely in Copenhagen and Berlin, earning praise for his keen eye for character in portraiture. Despite his promising career, his life was cut short in 1844, but his paintings continued to influence European landscape artists. Today, his works are held in prominent museums and sought after by collectors for their technical skill and poetic atmosphere.

Louis Lumière was born in 1864 near Lyon, France. Together with his brother Auguste, he developed the cinematograph, a groundbreaking device that could record and project motion pictures. In 1895, the Lumière brothers held their first public film screening, marking the birth of cinema. Louis directed and produced some of the earliest short films, including 'Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory.' He also continued to innovate in photographic equipment throughout his life. He remained active in the emerging film industry until his death in 1948, shaping the future of motion pictures.

Nachum Gutman was a foundational Israeli artist whose paintings and sculptures vividly portrayed the landscapes and culture of early 20th-century Israel. Born in what is now Moldova, he immigrated to Palestine with his family and studied at the Bezalel Academy in Jerusalem. Gutman's work spanned children's book illustrations, murals, and public art installations. He blended European modernist techniques with Middle Eastern motifs, helping to forge a unique national artistic identity. In addition to visual art, Gutman wrote books and designed stage sets, demonstrating his versatile creativity. He received the Israel Prize for his substantial contributions to Hebrew arts. Gutman’s pieces are held in major Israeli museums, reflecting his enduring influence. He died in 1980, leaving a rich artistic legacy.

John Alton was a visionary cinematographer whose mastery of light and shadow defined the aesthetic of film noir in the 1940s and 1950s. Born in Vienna, he emigrated to the United States and rose to become head of cinematography at Republic Pictures. Alton's work on films such as 'T-Men,' 'Raw Deal,' and 'The Big Combo' showcased his innovative use of low-key lighting and striking compositions. His 1949 book 'Painting with Light' remains a seminal text for filmmakers and cinematographers. Alton won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography for 'An American in Paris' in 1951, demonstrating his versatility across genres. His influence extends to generations of directors and cinematographers who continue to study his techniques. Alton died in 1996, leaving a legacy as one of cinema's great visual artists.

Known simply as Mrs. Miller, Beverly Miller became an unexpected sensation with her 1968 album Surfer Girl, featuring quirky renditions like "I Will Survive". Discovered by record producer Earl Palmer, her untrained vocal style captured public curiosity. The album sold hundreds of thousands of copies, leading to television appearances and tours. While critics mocked her technique, she embraced her unique appeal and inspired other novelty acts. Mrs. Miller's recordings remain a cult favorite, showcasing the era's openness to novelty music. She passed away in 1997, remembered for her eccentric contribution to pop culture.

Born in 1922 in Philadelphia, Bil Keane served in the US Navy during World War II before beginning his cartooning career. He launched "The Family Circus" in 1960, featuring the Yeager family and capturing the joys and antics of suburban life. Keane's single-panel strip became a staple in newspapers worldwide and ran for over 60 years. His work was praised for its warmth, innocence, and universal appeal. He received the National Cartoonists Society's Reuben Award in 1985. Keane continued to draw the strip until shortly before his death in 2011, leaving behind a lasting legacy in the world of comics.

Born in 1923 in Pretoria, South Africa, to actor parents, Glynis Johns moved to London and made her West End debut as a child. She gained acclaim for her roles in films like "Miranda" and as Desiree Armfeldt in the original London production of Stephen Sondheim's "A Little Night Music," earning a Tony Award nomination. Johns's unique voice and ethereal presence endeared her to audiences worldwide. She appeared in classics such as "Mary Poppins" and starred on Broadway, film, and television. Over a career spanning more than 70 years, she won numerous awards including an Olivier Award in 1980. Her versatility and charm made her a beloved figure in performing arts. She passed away in 2024, leaving behind a rich artistic legacy.

Bob Thaves launched 'Frank and Ernest' in 1972, pioneering a one-panel style that combined humor with visual puns. His clean artistic style and witty dialogue resonated with readers, leading the strip to appear in hundreds of newspapers worldwide. Thaves won multiple National Cartoonist Society awards for Best Newspaper Panel Cartoon. Beyond cartooning, he studied mathematics and initially worked at Clark Equipment Company before turning to comics full-time. His innovative approach influenced generations of cartoonists and remains celebrated for its clever simplicity.

Herbert Kretzmer began his career as a reporter and editor in South Africa before moving to London, where he wrote for The Sunday Times. He achieved international fame by writing the English lyrics for Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s musical 'Les Misérables,' first performed in 1980. Kretzmer’s lyrical adaptation retained the emotional depth of Victor Hugo’s novel while making it accessible to English-speaking audiences. He also collaborated on other musicals and songs, earning Tony and Grammy nominations. His work has left an enduring impact on musical theatre worldwide.

Marjorie Finlay gained acclaim in the 1950s as a soprano at the Metropolitan Opera and other prestigious venues, praised for her rich tone and expressive style. She transitioned to television as a host and guest performer on popular variety shows, bringing operatic music to a broader audience. Finlay later taught voice and served as an artistic director, nurturing young talent. She was also known as the mother of country music star Martina McBride, influencing her daughter’s early musical development. Finlay’s versatile career bridged high art and mass media, making opera accessible to many.