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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.
Edgar Degas, a French artist, was a master of painting, sculpture, and drawing, celebrated for his profound influence on the Impressionist movement despite his preference for being called a realist. Degas was born into a well-off family in Paris, France, and demonstrated a keen interest in art from an early age, eventually shaping his path to become one of the most sophisticated draftsmen of his time. His rigorous academic training and close study of classical art initially aimed him towards a career in history painting, but Degas soon pivoted towards contemporary subject matter, thus cementing his role as a classical painter of modern life.
Degas is renowned for his dynamic portrayals of movement, particularly in his depictions of dancers, racehorses, and everyday Parisian life. His works are characterized by their psychological depth and the isolation of his figures, showcasing his unique ability to capture the essence of his subjects with both empathy and critical distance. More than half of his oeuvre focuses on dancers, reflecting not only his fascination with the ballet but also his innovative approach to composition and form. This focus on the human figure, explored in various media including oil, pastel, and sculpture, underscores Degas's commitment to studying the nuances of human movement and expression.
Degas's artistic career is marked by his experimentation with various techniques and materials, as seen in his bronze sculptures and pastel nudes. One of his most famous sculptures, the study of the young ballet student Marie van Goethem, showcases his pioneering use of real objects in sculpture, a practice that prefigured later artistic innovations. Despite the controversies that sometimes surrounded his work, particularly in his depictions of the female nude, Degas's legacy as an artist who bridged the gap between traditional academic art and the modern movements of the early 20th century remains undisputed.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Degas's work offers a fascinating study in the evolution of modern art, highlighting the artist's deep engagement with the cultural and social dynamics of his time. His pieces, whether in the form of paintings, sculptures, or prints, continue to captivate audiences with their complexity, beauty, and innovative spirit.
If you are keen to stay updated on sales and auction events related to Edgar Degas, signing up for updates is a prudent choice. This subscription service ensures that you remain informed about new opportunities to acquire works by this pivotal figure in the art world, without overwhelming you with unnecessary information.
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John Goddard (1724–1785) was a distinguished American cabinetmaker whose work significantly influenced 18th-century furniture design, particularly in Newport, Rhode Island. Born on January 20, 1724, in Dartmouth, Massachusetts, Goddard apprenticed under Job Townsend, a prominent Newport cabinetmaker. This apprenticeship not only honed his craftsmanship but also led to his marriage to Townsend's daughter, Hannah, further solidifying his ties to the esteemed Townsend-Goddard furniture-making dynasty.
Establishing his own workshop in Newport, Goddard became renowned for his exceptional skill and innovative designs. He is credited with originating the block-front knee-hole desks and secretary desks, which became highly sought after by affluent clients. His creations are characterized by distinctive features such as the block-front facade, intricately carved shells, and robust ball-and-claw feet. These elements not only exemplify the aesthetic preferences of the period but also showcase Goddard's meticulous attention to detail and mastery of proportion.
One of Goddard's most notable patrons was Nicholas Brown, a prominent Providence merchant. In the early 1760s, Brown commissioned a set of elaborately carved mahogany side chairs from Goddard. These chairs, distinguished by their pierced crest shells, double-scrolled splats, and elegantly shaped stretchers, are considered masterpieces of Newport craftsmanship. The collaboration between Goddard and Brown underscores the cabinetmaker's reputation as "the neatest workman in America," a testament to his superior craftsmanship and design sensibilities.
Goddard's influence extended beyond his lifetime, as his workshop became a training ground for future artisans, including his sons. Following the British occupation of Newport, three of his sons relocated to Nova Scotia, where they continued the family's cabinetmaking tradition, thereby disseminating the Newport style to new regions. The Goddard family's contributions to furniture making have left an indelible mark on American decorative arts, with their pieces remaining highly prized by collectors and museums alike.
Today, John Goddard's works are preserved in esteemed institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which houses a side chair attributed to him. This chair exemplifies the characteristic Newport knee carving and the spherical ball feet associated with Goddard's style, serving as a tangible representation of his enduring legacy in American furniture design.
