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Abraham Lincoln was an American statesman and politician, the 16th President of the United States (March 4, 1861 - April 15, 1865).
The son of a frontiersman and a Kentucky farmer, Lincoln worked hard from an early age and struggled to learn. He was a militiaman in the Indian War, practiced law, and sat in the Illinois legislature for eight years. He was an opponent of slavery and gradually gained a national reputation that earned him victory in the 1860 presidential election.
After becoming the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln turned the Republican Party into a strong national organization. In addition, he drew most Northern Democrats to the Union side. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared permanently free those slaves who were in Confederate territory. Lincoln considered secession illegal and was prepared to use force to defend federal law and the Union. Four more slave states joined the Confederacy, but four remained in the Union, and the Civil War of 1861-1865 began.
Lincoln personally directed the military action that led to victory over the Confederacy. Abraham Lincoln was reelected in 1864, and on April 14, 1865, he was fatally shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. by actor John Wilkes Booth.
Abraham Lincoln is a national hero of the American people, he is considered one of the best and most famous presidents of the United States until today.
William Shakespeare was a British poet and playwright and writer.
William's father, John Shakespeare, was a merchant and official in Stratford. There are reports that he was a sailor for a time before joining a theater company in London. Beginning in the 1590s, Shakespeare began writing plays, and in 1593 he published a poem, Venus and Adonis, which became popular. He dedicated it to the Duke of Southampton, who was a philanthropist and patron of talent, and soon his business was booming.
From 1592 to 1600 Shakespeare wrote his dramas and romantic comedies "Richard III", "The Taming of the Shrew", "Romeo and Juliet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "The Merchant of Venice", as well as the comedies "Much Ado About Nothing", "Twelfth Night" and the tragedy "Julius Caesar". The playwright's business was so successful that he even bought a large house in Stratford. In 1599, Shakespeare became one of the owners, playwright and actor of the new theater "Globe". In 1603 King James took Shakespeare's troupe under his direct patronage. In the mature period, the great playwright turned to tragedies, there were "Hamlet", "Othello", "King Lear", "Macbeth" and others.
Although in the 19th century researchers had some doubts about the authorship of many of these works, William Shakespeare is considered the greatest English playwright, one of the best playwrights in the world. His plays have been translated into all major languages and to this day form the basis of the world theatrical repertoire, most of them have been screened many times. According to the Guinness Book of Records, Shakespeare remains the world's best-selling playwright, and his plays and poems have sold more than 4 billion copies in the nearly 400 years since his death.
Alan Alexander Milne was a British journalist, playwright and children's author.
While studying at Trinity College, Cambridge, Milne began writing for Granta magazine, and in 1906 he joined the humor magazine Punch, where he wrote humorous poems and quirky essays until 1914. During World War I he served as a communications officer, and afterward, in 1920, Milne had a son, Christopher Robin, whose name soon became known to the world.
From 1921 Milne wrote several comedy plays and also began writing children's poetry and prose for his young son, having finally found his calling. Milne's major successes were his books Winnie the Pooh (1926) and The House on Pooh Corner (1928). These two volumes tell the adventures of a boy named Christopher Robin and his playmates - animals that were "born" from the toys of the real Christopher Robin. The central character is Winnie the Pooh Bear, accompanied by the fussy Rabbit, the sullen Donkey Ia, the bouncy tiger Tigger, the kind kangaroo Kanga and her baby Roo, the wise Owl and the timid Piglet. The adventures of Pooh and his friends in the forest of One Hundred Acres with illustrations by Ernest Shepard became bestsellers.
They were translated into different languages of the world and reprinted many times, filmed cartoons. In 1929 Milne adapted another children's classic, Kenneth Graham's The Wind in the Willows, for stage production as Toad of Toad Hall. Ten years later he wrote an autobiography, Now It's Too Late.
Alberto Rosselli was an Italian architect, designer and educator.
Yuri Ivanovich Pimenov (Russian: Юрий Иванович Пименов) was a distinguished Russian and Soviet painter, renowned for his pivotal role in the "lyrical Thaw" movement within Soviet art. Born in Moscow in 1903, Pimenov emerged as a vital figure in the realm of Soviet impressionism, a title he embraced despite the political and artistic shifts of his time. His unique blend of realism and impressionism, often termed "realistic impressionism," showcased his versatility and defiance against abandoning his creative principles.
Pimenov's journey in the arts was marked by his participation in the OST group and later the "Isobrigade," reflecting his adaptation and response to the evolving Soviet art scene. Despite facing challenges, including a significant psychological crisis in 1931, Pimenov's resilience and dedication to art remained unwavering. His works from this period, characterized by a rose-colored palette and an optimistic view of Moscow, highlight his evolution as an artist and his ability to portray the Soviet reality through a unique lens.
Among Pimenov's notable contributions to Soviet art are masterpieces like "Wedding on Tomorrow Street," "Lyrical Housewarming," and "Japanese Girl Kyoko," each reflecting various facets of Soviet life and Pimenov's personal experiences. These works, celebrated for their vibrant storytelling and intricate details, have solidified Pimenov's legacy as a master of Soviet impressionism.
Pimenov's influence extended beyond the canvas, as he engaged deeply with the world of theater and film, designing sets and posters that further showcased his artistic versatility. His travels abroad, particularly to Japan, enriched his perspective and influenced his later works, demonstrating his global appeal and the universal resonance of his art.
For art collectors and experts, Pimenov's oeuvre represents a unique investment in the history and evolution of Soviet art. His works, a blend of political narrative and personal expression, offer a profound insight into the era of the Soviet Union, making them invaluable pieces for any collection.
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Kuzma Sergeyevich Petrov-Vodkin (Russian: Кузьма Сергеевич Петров-Водкин), a Russian painter, synthesized various traditions of global art, crafting a unique and deeply personal visual language. Born in 1878 in Khvalynsk, Saratov oblast, Russian Empire, Petrov-Vodkin is celebrated for his innovative approach to perspective, color, and composition, which positioned him as a pivotal figure in the art world of his time. He passed away in 1939 in Leningrad, now known as St. Petersburg, Russia.
Petrov-Vodkin's education in the arts took him from the Baron Stieglits School in Saint Petersburg to the Moscow School of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, where he was mentored by notable artists such as Valentin Serov. His studies abroad, including in Munich under Anton Ažbe, further enriched his artistic development. Notably, his marriage to Maria Jovanovic in Paris in 1906 marked a significant personal chapter, providing him with a lifelong companion and collaborator.
His work is distinguished by the use of "spherical perspective," a technique that distorts the drawing to emphasize the globe's curvature, making the viewer feel simultaneously distant and intimately close to the subject. This method, influenced by Byzantine iconography's inverted perspective, is evident in works like "Death of a Commissar" and "In the Line of Fire." Petrov-Vodkin's palette darkened over time, and his subjects diversified to include still life and portraiture, reflecting a broader exploration of theme and form. Despite facing health challenges, including pulmonary tuberculosis which limited his painting in later years, he remained prolific in other creative avenues, including literature, where his semi-autobiographical works are held in high regard.
His legacy is enshrined in the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg, which houses the largest collection of his works and dedicates a room to his art in their permanent exhibition. Additionally, a memorial museum in his hometown of Khvalynsk pays tribute to his contributions to Russian and Soviet art.
For collectors and art and antiques experts intrigued by Petrov-Vodkin's profound impact on Russian art, signing up for updates can ensure access to the latest sales and auction events related to his oeuvre. This subscription is a gateway to exploring the depth and breadth of Petrov-Vodkin's artistic achievements and ensuring enthusiasts are well-informed of opportunities to engage with his work.