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Sir John Frederick William Herschel, 1st Baronet was a British astronomer and son of the Uranus discoverer Wilhelm Herschel. He is credited with the first double star and nebula catalogues of the southern starry sky, which he observed during a five-year stay near Cape Town.
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer and poet, editor and critic who created a form of classical detective fiction in an atmosphere of mystery and horror.
In prose, Allan Poe wrote mostly short stories. His novella The Murders in the Rue Morgue (1841) initiated the modern detective story, and his poem The Raven (1845) is among the most famous in American literature. Romanticism of the first third of the 19th century was shrouded in a fog of Satanism and the occult, which obviously influenced the work of Poe, whose personality was subtle, dualistic, and multifaceted.
Most of Poe's best works are permeated with horror and sorrow, but in life the poet was a pleasant conversationalist with a great sense of humor and a talented orator. All this, coupled with the genius of the writer-narrator provided him with a prominent place among the world-famous writers. Edgar Allan Poe revolutionized the horror genre. He was one of the first to bring deep, visceral, psychological horror into literature. In his stories, the true monster often turned out to be the capacity for evil that lurks within every human being.
John Neal is an American writer, editor, and community activist.
Neal served for many years as editor of the Yankee and Boston Literary Gazette periodicals, publishing critical essays and always striving to promote American literature. While living in England in the 1820s, he wrote a long series of articles published in Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, essentially telling the story of American literature, which helped change the perception of American art in Britain.
Back in America, he used his popularity and influence to support young writers such as Poe and Whittier. In particular, it was Neale who put Edgar Allan Poe's very name in print and the very first words of encouragement to his work.
Neal's early recognition of Poe's genius was crucial to the budding talented writer's career. John Neel also wrote long adventure novels with complex plots, of which "Rachel Dyer" is considered the best, and "Bag Otter, Chief of the Oneida" and "David Whicher" are his best stories.
John Neal was also a very active social and political activist. In his literary work and lectures, he constantly addressed issues such as feminism and women's rights, slavery, the rights of free black Americans and American Indians, temperance, sports, and many others.
Henri Fantin-Latour was a French painter and lithographer renowned for his exquisite flower paintings and insightful group portraits of Parisian artists and writers. His artistic journey began in Grenoble, where he was born in 1836, but it flourished in Paris, where he moved at a young age to study art. Despite his associations with Impressionists like Édouard Manet and Claude Monet, Fantin-Latour carved his unique path, focusing on still life and portraiture rather than adopting the Impressionist style.
Henri Fantin-Latour's knack for capturing the essence of his subjects is evident in his group portraits, which were not just mere representations but insightful depictions of the artistic and literary circles of his time. His notable works like "A Studio at Les Batignolles" illustrate the camaraderie among artists like Manet, Renoir, and Monet, offering a window into the vibrant Parisian art scene of the 19th century. His still lifes, particularly his flower paintings, are celebrated for their realism and delicate precision, making them a favorite among collectors and art enthusiasts.
In addition to his painting, Henri Fantin-Latour's lithographs, inspired by classical music and imbued with a poetic and symbolic quality, reveal another dimension of his talent, showcasing his ability to transcend the boundaries of realism and delve into the realm of imagination.
For art collectors and experts, Henri Fantin-Latour's works offer a blend of technical mastery and a deep understanding of the interplay between art, music, and literature. His contributions to the art world are remembered and celebrated in museums around the globe, where his works continue to inspire and captivate audiences.
For those interested in exploring more about Henri Fantin-Latour's life and works, visiting exhibitions or keeping abreast of auctions featuring his art can provide valuable insights into his creative genius. To stay updated on related events and opportunities, consider subscribing to updates from art institutions or galleries specializing in 19th-century French art.
