Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Happy Birthday Gian Lorenzo Bernini!! The Italian sculptor, born in 1598, Bernini was certainly the most celebrated sculptor of the Roman Baroque period. His father was a Florentine sculptor and by age 8, young Bernini had mastered the stone chisel and begun receiving commissions. In the 1620's, Bernini became a sculptor and architect for the Pope and this association was to last for the rest of his life. The Ecstasy of St. Theresa (1645-52) pictured here today, is noted as a prime example of Baroque sculpture, displaying extreme emotion through the technical sculpting methods, architectural setting and use of colored (white and yellow) marble. It is hard to imagine or describe the scope of this master's influence on sculptors to follow.

Karl Bitter

Happy Birthday Karl Bitter!! Today we celebrate another sculptor's life, this time an Austrian born American, from1867. After training in Vienna, apprenticing with an architectural sculptor and serving for a time in the army there, Bitter immigrated to the U.S. He became associated with architect Richard Morris Hunt and the two collaborated on many projects. Sadly his genius was never allowed to come to completion since he was tragically struck down by a car after leaving the Metropolitan Opera House at age 48. Located in the Grand Army Plaza at 59^th and 5^th Ave. in New York City, on the Pulitzer Fountain, the sculpture below was created using his (and many other sculptors') favorite model Audrey Munson. Isn't the casual lounge of the figure charming?

Pierre Philippe Thomire

Happy Birthday Pierre Philippe Thomire!! Born in 1751, this French artist studied to be a sculptor, but then segued into bronze casting, following in his father's footsteps. He quickly became recognized as the leader in the field, creating decorative pieces and bronze mounts for porcelain for the Sevres Porcelain Manufactory. He was named Engraver to the Emperor by Napoleon in 1809 and continued sculpting and casting even after the fall of Napoleon. I particularly like this Mantle Clock by Thomire.

Richard Roland Holst

Happy Birthday Richard Roland Holst!! Dutch artist painter, born in 1868, Holst began as a painter in the Impressionistic style. His technique tightened and his scope broadened when he began to explore stained glass, printmaking, mural painting and illustration. He married a Dutch writer and the two became involved in the Socialist party in Amsterdam. His art became quite stylized and bound up in decorative line drawing and geometric forms interlocking, as he designed book covers, illustrations, posters, etc. such as the one for Volks University, included here.

Constantin Guys

Happy Birthday Constantin Guys!! French illustrator and watercolorist (born in the Netherlands) Constantin Guys dubbed "the painter of modern life" was born today in 1802. He recorded European wars and fashion of the 19th century. After running away and serving in the War of Independence in Greece and later a member of a French dragoon regiment across Europe and Asia, Guys began his art career at age 42, recording various wars and European life. He worked from memory rather than going to the source. Guys did not exhibit his work and lived in virtual isolation and poverty. Few realized his talent outside his circle of friends and admirers. Sadly his legs were crushed when he was run over by a taxi and he spent his last 6 years cared for in a hospice.

Otto Dix

Happy Birthday Otto Dix!! German born painter from 1891, Dix was a German Expressionist known for his graphic depictions of warfare and post-war Berlin. He studied art in Dresden. His expressive portraits were so exaggerated the work was labeled Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) or Magic Realism. He painted a triptych that mysteriously vanished from the Dresden Museum and later Dix himself was even arrested by the Gestapo. Not surprisingly, many of his paintings were destroyed by the Nazi regime. After 1946 he concentrated on religious works.  The work I have included today is titled Still Life with Widow's Veil (1925).

John Erasmus Quellinus

Happy Birthday John Erasmus Quellinus!! Born today in 1634, Quellinus came from a family of artists including his grandfather, uncle and father who was also a Flemish painter who studied with Rubens.  Young John's career was greatly influenced by a trip to Italy in 1660, whee he studied architecture (which later appeared in his paintings). After returning to Antwerp he became a celebrated master painter, creating works for churches, abbeys, and the court. I had an extremely difficult time locating a painting to include today! The problem is thta his father was much more well known and perhaps popular, so all of my searches turned up works by him. For want of a better one, this is what I came up with a detail from Sainte- Catherine au Mont Sinai.