Historians 20th century
Alexandre Nikolayevich Benois (Russian: Алекса́ндр Никола́евич Бенуа́) was a distinguished Russian artist, art critic, and historian, celebrated for his pivotal role in the art world, particularly in painting and stage design. Born into a family deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of Russia, Benois was instrumental in the development of the Russian artistic movement at the turn of the 20th century. His contributions to art and culture extend beyond his vivid paintings; he was a founding member of the World of Art (Mir iskusstva), a significant art movement and magazine that sought to elevate Russian artistry on the global stage.
Benois' work is notable for its intricate detailing, vibrant use of color, and the ability to convey deep narratives within each piece. His designs for ballets such as "Petrushka" and "The Sleeping Beauty" remain iconic, showcasing his mastery over the fusion of visual art and performance. This synthesis not only enhanced the ballets’ visual appeal but also deepened the audience's engagement with the narrative. Museums and galleries around the world, including the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg and the Tretyakov Gallery in Moscow, house his works, underscoring his global recognition and the enduring appeal of his artistic vision.
For collectors and experts in art and antiques, Benois' oeuvre represents a fascinating exploration of early 20th-century Russian culture, art, and the avant-garde movement. His ability to blend traditional Russian themes with the modernist trends of his time makes his work a valuable study in the evolution of modern art. Those interested in the rich tapestry of Russian cultural history and the interplay between art and performance will find Benois' contributions invaluable.
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Robert Byron was a British traveler, writer, historian and art historian.
Byron studied at Merton College (Oxford), in his final year of university he traveled to Greece and described it in the book "Europe in the looking glass" (1926). The work "Station. Athos, Treasures and People" (1928) focuses on the monasteries of Mount Athos, and "Byzantine Achievements" (1929) on classical Greek culture, Byzantine art and architecture. Byron's other publications include Essays on India (1931) and First Russia, Then Tibet (1933).
In the early 1930s, Robert Byron traveled extensively in India, Persia, Tibet, Russia, and elsewhere. His most famous work is The Road to Oxiana (1937), which was written after traveling from Italy to India and is devoted to researching the origins of Islamic architecture. The route took him through Palestine, Syria, and Iraq, after which Byron visited Kermanshah, Tehran, Tabriz, Mashad, Herat, Isfahan, Shiraz, Persepolis, Sultania, Mazare Sharif, Kabul, and others. This book is based on his diaries and combines erudition and fascination. An aesthete and architectural art historian, Byron described the region's great Islamic monuments in elegant, lexically rich prose. He also took his own photographs. This photographic archive is now in the Conway Library of the Courtauld Institute in London and is of great value.
Talented and versatile, full of strength Robert Byron died at the age of 36, when the ship on which he was traveling to Cairo as a special war correspondent, was hit by a German U-boat torpedo off the northern coast of Scotland.
Alfred Jean Andre Cluysenaar was a Belgian Portrait painter. Jean Alfred was a member of the Cluysenaar family, an artistic family from Brussels. He became the father of the painter André Cluysenaar. He studied in the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts of Brussels in the atelier of Joseph Jaquet and François-Joseph Navez. He painted some important decorations in the Royal Zoo of Antwerp and in 1861-1876 he ornated the Aula in Ghent. Cluysenaar was famous for his monumental decorations of high quality. Awarded in the expositions of Brussels, Ghent, Paris Vienna and London. Some of his paintings are kept in the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
Miguel Covarrubias, also known as José Miguel Covarrubias Duclaud was a Mexican painter, caricaturist, illustrator, ethnologist and art historian. Along with his American colleague Matthew W. Stirling, he was the co-discoverer of the Olmec civilization.
Edouard de Jans was a Flemish portrait and genre painter. Although he specialized in portraits, he also did Biblical scenes, history paintings and landscapes. In 1876, he received a scholarship from the Prix de Rome for his painting "Return of the Prodigal Son", which enabled him to travel throughout Europe, visiting France, Italy, Germany and Austria. When he returned to Antwerp in 1889, he was appointed a Professor at the Academy and held that position until his death.
Jacques de Lalaing was an Anglo-Belgian painter and sculptor, specializing in animals. Lalaing was raised in England until 1875, when he moved to Brussels. He trained as an artist under Jean-François Portaels and Louis Gallait at the Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts in Brussels. With the encouragement of Thomas Vinçotte and Jef Lambeaux, Lalaing began to sculpt in 1884. As a painter he continued to work in a realistic, naturalistic style, as a portrait painter and producing historical scenes. As a sculptor he produced allegorical bronzes and memorial art. Along with his fellow animalier sculptors Léon Mignon and Antoine-Félix Bouré Lalaing established a distinctively Belgian tradition of animal art, to which the flourishing Antwerp Zoo contributed inspiration. In 1896 Lalaing became a member of the Royal Academy where he had studied, and from 1904 through 1913 he served as its director. His works are represented in the collections of museums in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Ghent and Tournai.
Maurice Denis, a French painter and writer, was an influential figure in the transition from impressionism to modern art. Born on November 25, 1870, in Granville, France, Denis's artistic journey began at the Académie Julian in Paris. Here, he met future collaborators like Paul Sérusier and Pierre Bonnard, with whom he later formed the Nabis group, a collective deriving its name from the Hebrew word "Nabi," meaning "Prophet".
Denis's style evolved from neoimpressionism, influenced by artists like Seurat, to a more decorative and colorful approach under the influence of Gauguin. This shift is evident in works like "Taches du soleil sur la terrace" (1890). He famously stated, "Art is no longer a visual sensation... it is a creation of our spirit," highlighting his belief in art as an idealistic expression, transcending mere imitation of nature.
Denis was also impacted by Japanese art, which influenced his compositions and styles, contributing to his unique and recognizable approach. His philosophy on art, encapsulated in his 1890 essay published in "Art et Critique," emphasized the importance of color and form in creating emotional depth, a notion that laid the groundwork for modernism. He argued that a painting's essence lies in its colors and composition, rather than its subject matter.
Throughout his career, Denis's work evolved towards a more classical approach. His involvement with the Ateliers d'Art Sacré, founded in 1919, demonstrated his interest in religious art and decoration. His notable works include "The Legend of Saint Hubert" (1897) and "The History of Music" for the Théâtre des Champs Elysées (1912-1913).
Tragically, Maurice Denis's life ended on November 13, 1943, when he was struck by a truck during the German occupation of Paris. However, his legacy endures through his contributions to modern art and symbolism, his influence on fellow artists, and his works displayed in various museums and galleries.
For collectors and art experts, Denis's work offers a unique glimpse into the evolution of modern art. His blend of symbolism, color, and form marks a significant shift in art history. To stay updated on new sales and auction events related to Maurice Denis's work, sign up for our newsletter. This subscription will keep you informed about the latest developments in the world of this remarkable artist.
Fernand Khnopff, full name Fernand-Edmond-Jean-Marie Khnopff, was a Belgian Symbolist painter, graphic artist, sculptor and art historian.
Born into a wealthy family, Fernand attended the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, where he studied painting with Xavier Mellerie. Throughout his years at the academy, Khnopff spent summers in Paris studying art, and at the 1878 World's Fair he saw the works of Pre-Raphaelite Edward Burne-Jones and Symbolist Gustave Moreau, which had a decisive influence on his work.
In the early 1880s Khnopff began to exhibit his Symbolist works, often inspired by literary works, particularly by Gustave Flaubert. His paintings combined precise realism with an ethereal fairy-tale atmosphere, and he also painted portraits.
In 1883 Khnopff co-founded Les Vingt, a group of Belgian avant-garde artists. From the early 1990s, he collaborated regularly with the Brussels opera house Royal de la Monnaie, designing costumes and sets for many productions. He also designed the interiors of Brussels' landmark buildings: the Maison Stoclet and the Hôtel de Ville in Saint-Gilles.
Thomas Edward Lawrence was a British scholar-archaeologist, military intelligence and strategist, writer and poet.
Thomas studied at the High School and Jesus College, Oxford, studying medieval military architecture in particular, researching Crusader castles in France and in Syria and Palestine. Then in the early 1900s he took part in an excavation, though more likely a cartographic reconnaissance from Gaza to Aqaba for strategic military purposes. The study was published in 1915 under the title The Wilderness of Zin (The Wilderness of Zin).
At the outbreak of World War I, Lawrence became a member of the cartographic staff of the War Office in London, tasked with producing a militarily useful map of Sinai. From 1914, with the rank of lieutenant, he was already active in various operations in Cairo and other Arab countries. It is believed that Lawrence made a significant contribution to the victory of the Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire, and locals gave him the nickname Lawrence of Arabia.
Lawrence had time to work on his war memoirs as well, publishing a book about his activities, The Seven Pillars of Wisdom, in 1926. Also of interest are his poignant service chronicle "The Mint" and a considerable amount of correspondence. He was commissioned by book designer Bruce Rogers to translate Homer's Odyssey into English. Lawrence also wrote over 100 poems, which were published in the collection Minorities in 1971.
After World War I, Lawrence worked for the British Foreign Office and served in the Royal Air Force. He died in a motorcycle accident in May 1935 at the age of 46.
Frans Mortelmans was a Belgian painter, draughtsman and engraver. He initially produced portraits, history paintings, marines and genre scenes. From 1892 onwards, he almost exclusively painted very decorative and harmoniously composed still lifes and flower pieces. It is through these works that he established his reputation. His compositions with pink roses are in particular highly valued. His work situates itself between impressionism and realism with some luminist touches. He produced many pastel works. Frans Mortelmans was a very prolific painter. To date, more than 850 of his works have been inventoried.
Wilhelm Ferdinand Pauwels was a Belgian history painter who lived and worked in Germany. From 1842 to 1850, he studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Antwerp). In 1852 he won the Prix de Rome (Belgium) for his painting Coriolanus at Rome and was able to spend four years studying in Italy. From 1862 to 1872, he was the Professor of History Painting at the Weimar Saxon-Grand Ducal Art School. This period was especially productive for him and he completed seven large wall panels at the Wartburg, depicting the life of Martin Luther. After a short stay in Belgium, he returned to Germany, where he became a Professor at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts. During this period he also executed six large historical wall panels at the Fürstenschule in Meissen. From 1870 to 1881, he produced what was considered his greatest work: twelve frescoes in the upper part of the Ypres Cloth Hall, which had been left incomplete by Charles de Groux. They depicted scenes of Ypres' history from 1187 to 1383.
William Milligan Sloane is an American educator and historian.
Sloane graduated from Columbia College, then taught history and chaired departments at Princeton and Columbia. He subsequently earned a doctorate from the University of Leipzig. William Sloane wrote several books on European history. The best known of these was Napoleon Bonaparte (4 vols., 1895-97), a monumental work of biographical and historical literature.
He later served as president of the American Academy of Arts and Letters (1920-28), the American Historical Association, and the National Institute of Arts and Letters. Sloane was also an officer of the French Legion of Honor and a Commander of the Order of the Polaris of Sweden. William Sloane was also a founding member of the IOC and served on its board from 1894 to 1924.
Joseph Stallaert was a Belgian painter; best known for his scenes from antiquity. In 1847, he was awarded the Prix de Rome and stayed in Italy until 1852. Upon his return, his mentor Navez exerted some influence to obtain a contract for him to do a painting for the Brussels Town Hall ("The Death of Everard 't Serclaes"). That same year, he became Director of the Academy of Fine Arts in Tournai. In 1865, he was selected to be the first teacher of "Drawing and Painting from Nature" at the Brussels Academy and held several important positions there over the next thirty years.
Willem Steelink Jr. was a Dutch painter and graphic artist, associated with the Laren School. He initially focused on portraits, genre scenes and historical paintings, done in a style influenced by the Romantic style of his father. In 1880, he visited the moors around Gooi and began to paint in the style of the Hague School. Together with his friend, Hein Kever, he spent several summers in Laren where he came under the influence of the Laren School, inspired by Anton Mauve. The picturesque village of Heeze became one of his favorite places to work. Sheep, and their shepherds, was his favorite subject. He was also known for his graphic work and etchings, and made copies of famous works by Jozef Israëls and Johannes Bosboom. Later, he did illustrations, mostly for historical works and children's books, but also for an edition of the New Testament in Sundanese. His works were popular and sold well in Germany, England and Canada. He was a member of many artistic organizations, including Arti et Amicitiae and the Pulchri Studio, and received the Belgian Order of the Crown and the French Order of Saint Lazarus.
Nicolaas van der Waay was a Dutch decorative artist, watercolorist and lithographer. He worked in many genres, including stamp, coin and banknote designs. He is perhaps best known for the allegorical illustrations he created for the Golden Coach and a series of paintings depicting the lives of girls from the Amsterdam Orphanage. His work was also part of the painting event in the art competition at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
Gustave Vanaise is a Belgian painter. Gustave Vanaise paints historical and religious subjects, intimate scenes and is also a portrait painter. He studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Ghent in the studio of Théodore Canneel, then in Brussels. He is part of an enthusiastic group of artists and sculptors from Saint-Gilles (Brussels). In 1883, he was one of the founding members of the Brussels avant-garde group “Les Vingt”. He resigned in 1886. We owe him portraits, as well as vast decorative compositions "in which the traditional vision of the Flemish school darkens to reflect new sensibilities", as Gustave Vanzype writes
Carl von Häberlin was a painter from Württemberg. He received his initial training at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart and studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Düsseldorf from 1852 to 1856. Häberlin then moved to Stuttgart and became a prolific illustrator. He was professor of genre painting at the Academy of Applied Arts in Stuttgart from 1868 to 1885. Häberlin also worked on large-scale murals on the Dominican island in Konstanz from 1878 to 1894, depicting scenes from the island's history. He received the Medal of Honor of the Order of the Crown of Württemberg in 1901.
Evelyn Waugh, full name Arthur Evelyn St. John Waugh, was a British satirical writer, travel writer and historian.
Evelyn Waugh studied at Lancing College in Sussex and at Hertford College in Oxford. He then began traveling and writing, soon earning a reputation as a witty satirist. He visited Ethiopia and the Belgian Congo, and traveled to South America. His works are almost always based on personal experience; notable among the early ones are Decline and Fall (1928), Nasty Bodies (1930), Black Mischief (1932), and others.
During World War II, Evelyn Waugh served in the Royal Marines and the Royal Horse Guards. Written at this time, the novel "Return to Brideshead" (1945) is about an aristocratic English Roman Catholic family. In the trilogy "Men in Arms" (1952), "Officers and Gentlemen" (1955) and "Unconditional Surrender" (1961), the author conducted a serious analysis of the events of World War II, as an eternal struggle between good and evil, civilization and barbarism. Later on these works were filmed television series.
Evelyn Waugh also left a significant trace in journalism and literary criticism, he is considered one of the finest stylists in English prose of the XX century.
