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Harriet Beecher Stowe, full name Harriet Elisabeth Beecher Stowe, was an American writer and poet, an activist for the eradication of slavery in the country.
Beecher Stowe is the author of the world-famous novel Uncle Tom's Cabin. Published first in a newspaper and first published as a book in 1852, it aroused widespread anger in the country and galvanized the fight against slavery in the southern United States. This novel was later reprinted many times in all languages of the world and has been screened more than once.
In her youth, Beecher Stowe received an academic education, wrote poetry, notes and essays on social topics. In addition to "The Shack", she wrote several other novels and was engaged in teaching.
Washington Irving was an American Romantic writer, historian, and diplomat.
Irving has been called "the first American writer" to be recognized in Europe. In 1815, he traveled to England on family business. A huge success in England and the United States was The Sketch Book, published in several installments during 1819-1820, which contained two of the author's most famous works, Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and which made him a literary star in both England and the United States.
He continued his literary endeavors and worked at the U.S. Embassy of Great Britain. Returning to the United States in 1832, Irving visited some little-known territories near the western fringes of the country, and this journey inspired his works Journey on the Prairie (1835), Astoria (1836), and The Adventures of Captain Bonneville (1837). Late in life he published several historical and biographical works, including the five-volume Life of George Washington (1855-1859).
George Gershwin, born Jacob Gershwin, is an American composer and pianist.
George's parents emigrated from Russia to the United States in 1891, and he was about 12 years old at the piano, becoming virtually self-taught. Gershwin published his first song in 1916, but it was Swanee, written by a 20-year-old Gershwin in 1918, that made him famous. The income he received for it allowed Gershwin to concentrate on musical theater. In the 1920s, however, George, along with his older brother Ira, were major songwriters and hit songwriters on Broadway. The lyrics for all of Gershwin's films were written by Ira Gershwin, as were the lyrics for most of his musicals, although early in his career Gershwin worked with other lyric writers, including Irving Caesar and Buddy De Silva.
The Gershwin brothers' first Broadway hit was the song Lady Be Good in 1924. In his songs, Broadway shows, and movie scores, composer George Gershwin achieved unprecedented success with his masterful mastery of jazz, classical, and popular music styles. These include "Rhapsody in Blue" in 1924, "Concerto in F" in 1925, "An American in Paris" in 1928, and "Second Rhapsody" in 1931. Between 1919 and 1935. Gershwin wrote music for 31 musicals, one of which - Of Thee I Sing - in 1932 became the first musical to win the Pulitzer Prize for Dramaturgy. Gershwin's songs have also been used in numerous films and award-winning musicals over the years.
The opera Porgy and Bess, co-written with Dubose, Dorothy Hayward, and Ira Gershwin, was the Gershwin brothers' most ambitious project, combining memorable songs with drama. It was first performed in Boston in 1935 and was made into a movie in 1959.
In 1937, at the age of only 39, the brilliant composer died of a brain tumor. George Gershwin was at the height of his career, leaving a significant and lasting mark on the world of classical music. Today, his orchestral works are performed by most of the world's prestigious symphony orchestras. Ira Gershwin, who was two years older, lived 46 years after George's death.
Michael Kelley was an American artist. His work involved found objects, textile banners, drawings, assemblage, collage, performance and video. He often worked collaboratively and had produced projects with artists Paul McCarthy, Tony Oursler, and John Miller. Writing in The New York Times, in 2012, Holland Cotter described the artist as "one of the most influential American artists of the past quarter century and a pungent commentator on American class, popular culture and youthful rebellion."
Joan Mitchell was an American painter, celebrated for her pivotal role in the Abstract Expressionist movement. Born in Chicago in 1925, Mitchell's work transcends the traditional boundaries of art, blending intense emotion with a deeply personal use of color and gesture. Her canvases are vast arenas where light, color, and texture merge to evoke landscapes, memories, and emotions. Unlike many of her contemporaries, Mitchell's art was not just about the act of painting but about capturing the essence of her experiences and emotions, making her a unique voice in 20th-century art.
Mitchell's paintings, characterized by their vibrant colors and dynamic brushstrokes, have been exhibited in some of the world's most prestigious museums and galleries. Notable works like "Hudson River Day Line" and "Bracket" found homes in institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), respectively. These pieces exemplify Mitchell's ability to convey the complexity of nature and emotion, bridging the gap between abstract expressionism and the lyrical landscapes that inspired her.
Despite her critical acclaim, Mitchell's work was initially overshadowed by her male peers, selling for a fraction of their value. However, the 21st century has seen a significant reassessment of her contributions, with her paintings now commanding millions at auction. This shift is part of a broader reevaluation of women and minority artists in the art historical canon, reflecting changing perspectives on gender and creativity. Collectors and experts in art and antiques now recognize Joan Mitchell as a titan of post-war American painting, whose works continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide.
For those intrigued by the legacy of Joan Mitchell and the dynamic world of abstract expressionism, we invite you to sign up for updates. Our subscription service will keep you informed about new product sales and auction events related to Joan Mitchell's art, offering exclusive insights into one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.
Alexey Petrovich Bogolyubov was a Russian landscape painter.
Man Ray, born Emmanuel Radnitzky, was an American visual artist who played a significant role in the Dada and Surrealist movements. His pioneering efforts in photography, alongside his work in painting and sculpture, have cemented his place as a major figure in modern art. Known for his innovative techniques and the ability to convey complex ideas through simple, striking visuals, Man Ray's contribution to the art world is profound.
Throughout his career, Man Ray was celebrated for his avant-garde approach and his ability to transcend traditional boundaries between different artistic mediums. His photography, characterized by experimental techniques such as solarization and rayographs (cameraless photographs), challenged conventional perceptions of photography as merely a means of representation. These artistic innovations made him a central figure in both Parisian and American art circles.
Man Ray's works are housed in some of the world's most prestigious museums and galleries, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. His pieces, such as "Le Violon d'Ingres" and "Noire et Blanche," are iconic images that continue to influence artists today. His ability to blend the abstract with the realistic, and the humorous with the serious, has left a lasting legacy in the world of art.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, the work of Man Ray offers a glimpse into the revolutionary changes that shaped the visual arts in the 20th century. His unique perspective and pioneering techniques continue to inspire and challenge those interested in the boundaries of creativity and expression.
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Frederick Childe Hassam was an American Impressionist painter, celebrated for his urban and coastal scenes. Born on October 17, 1859, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Hassam was a pivotal figure in introducing French Impressionism to the American art scene. His prolific output includes over 3,000 works ranging from oils and watercolors to etchings and lithographs.
Hassam's technique was characterized by the use of light and vibrant colors, often focusing on bustling cityscapes and tranquil New England coastlines. He spent significant periods in Europe, particularly Paris, where he absorbed elements of the avant-garde styles of the time. Despite this, he often emphasized a connection to English landscape traditions over French ones.
Some of his most acclaimed works capture the essence of places like the Isles of Shoals in Maine and East Hampton in Long Island, where he later made his summer home. These settings often featured in his paintings, reflecting the picturesque and serene landscapes that contrasted with his urban subjects.
Hassam's legacy includes his influence on American collectors and institutions, helping to cultivate a taste for Impressionism in the United States. His works are held in major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art, ensuring his continued recognition as a key figure in American art history.
For those interested in exploring more about Hassam's life and works, signing up for updates on exhibitions and sales can provide valuable insights into his contributions to Impressionism. Subscribe for updates on new collections and auction events related to Frederick Childe Hassam's artworks.
Voltaire, born François Marie Arouet, was a French philosopher-enlightener of the French Enlightenment, poet and writer, satirist, tragedian, historian and essayist.
Voltaire's long life fell on the last years of classicism and the eve of the revolutionary era, and in this transitional period his works and activities had a significant impact on the direction of European civilization. Through his critical freethinking and wit, Voltaire won the minds of many 18th century European rulers. To this day, he continues to enjoy worldwide fame as a courageous fighter against tyranny, bigotry, and cruelty.
Voltaire was an advocate of freedom of speech, freedom of religion and separation of church and state. He was a versatile and prolific writer in all literary forms, including plays, poems, novels, essays, histories, and scholarly expositions. In total, he wrote more than 20,000 letters and 2,000 books and pamphlets. Voltaire's most famous works are the tragic play Zaire, the historical study The Age of Louis XIV, and the satirical novella Candide.
Mark Twain, real name Samuel Langhorne Clemens, was an American humanist writer, journalist, and social activist.
As a young man, Samuel worked in the printing press and in the gold mines, then went on a steamboat trip to Europe and the "Holy Land". His travel letters, full of vivid descriptions and ironic observations, were very well received by the public and were later revised into his first book, Innocents Abroad, published in 1869.
The pseudonym "Mark Twain" first appeared in 1863 under one of Samuel Clemens' short stories, and since then all his significant works have been signed by that name.
A talented storyteller, a peculiar humorist and moralist, Twain knew and loved his many diverse characters. His scandalizers and dreamers, caring aunts and ambitious politicians, grumpy widows and lying aristocrats, cunning but generous slaves, sentimental moralists, brave and naive children - all these types of American people Twain gave voice to thanks to his masterful command of colloquial language, slang and jargon. Twain wrote a lot and in a variety of genres: humor and satire, philosophical fiction and journalism and others, but he always stood on the position of humanist and democrat.
Mark Twain became world famous for his travel stories and adventure novels about his childhood, these are "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" (1876) and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1885). Twain is still one of America's, and indeed the world's, best and most beloved writers. His works have been and are still being published in many languages around the world.
Marc Chagall (Russian: Марк Заха́рович Шага́л), born Moishe Shagal in 1887 near Vitebsk, Belarus (then part of the Russian Empire), was a Belarusian and French artist celebrated for his pivotal role in the avant-garde movement and his unique integration of Eastern European Jewish culture into modern art. His contributions spanned several artistic formats including painting, stained glass, stage sets, ceramics, tapestries, and fine art prints. Chagall's early modernist tendencies were enriched by his experiences across Saint Petersburg, Paris, and Berlin before World War I, leading to a distinctive style that melded Cubism, Symbolism, and Fauvism with his Jewish heritage.
Chagall's work is recognized for its emotional depth, often exploring themes of love, memory, and Jewish folklore through vibrant colors and dreamlike imagery. Notably, art critic Robert Hughes described him as "the quintessential Jewish artist of the twentieth century," a sentiment echoed by art historian Michael J. Lewis who regarded Chagall as a significant figure within European modernism and as the world's preeminent Jewish artist of his time.
Among Chagall's famed contributions are his stained-glass windows for the cathedrals of Reims and Metz, the UN, and the Jerusalem Windows in Israel. His monumental paintings include parts of the ceiling of the Paris Opéra and works that explore biblical themes, a hallmark of his oeuvre that underscores his enduring engagement with spiritual and religious motifs.
For art collectors and antiques experts, Chagall's works are notable not only for their artistic innovation but also for their rich cultural and historical significance. His art is housed in many prestigious museums worldwide, including the Marc Chagall National Museum in Nice, France, which focuses on his works inspired by religion and houses the series of paintings illustrating the biblical message.
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