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  1. Wain, Louis Louis Wain (1860-1939) was an English artist best known for his distinctive and imaginative paintings of anthropomorphised cats. Born 5 August 1860 in London, Wain rose to fame in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for his charming and whimsical portrayals of cats engaged in various human activities. Wain's artistic career began when he was hired as an illustrator for various newspapers and magazines. However, it was his illustrations of cats that captured the public's imaginat...
  2. Rousseau, Henri Henri Rousseau (1844-1910) was born in Laval, France and was a self-taught painter and a significant figure in the realm of naïve art. Despite his humble beginnings, he developed a distinctive style that set him apart from his contemporaries. Rousseau worked as a customs officer for much of his life, painting in his spare time. His poignant creations were often overlooked during his lifetime, gaining recognition only posthumously. Rousseau’s artwork is characterised by vibrant colours, intric...
  3. Sisley, Alfred Alfred Sisley (1839-1899) was a prominent landscape painter, born in France to British parents. Throughout his career, Sisley developed a distinctive style characterised by subtle colour palettes and a delicate treatment of light. Despite being less commercially successful than some of his contemporaries, such as Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Sisley's commitment to capturing the fleeting effects of nature solidified his reputation within the art world. His most notable works oft...
  4. Monet, Claude Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a pioneering French painter and one of the founders of the Impressionist movement, a style that sought to capture the fleeting effects of light and colour. Born in 1840 in Paris, Monet's early years were spent in Le Havre, where he developed a love for drawing. He moved to Paris to pursue formal art training, where he befriended fellow artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and Camille Pissarro. Monet's approach to painting was revolutionary. Rather than ...
  5. Ward, Leslie (Spy) Leslie Ward (1851-1922), also known as 'Spy', was a prominent British caricaturist renowned for his keen observational skills and artistic talent. Ward began his career in illustration before establishing himself as a leading figure in the world of political satire. He garnered fame for his work with 'Punch', the esteemed magazine that revolutionised the art of caricature in Britain. Ward’s distinctive style involved capturing the likenesses and personalities of notable figure...
  6. Gauguin, Paul Paul Gauguin (1848-1903) was a French post-Impressionist painter known for his innovative use of colour and symbolism, which significantly influenced modern art. Born in Paris, Gauguin spent much of his childhood in Peru where he experienced a privileged childhood. Following financial struggles, he returned to France and received a formal education. Initially, he pursued a career as a stockbroker while practicing art as a hobby, however, following the financial crisis of 1882, he made a pivot...
  7. White, Henry Seppings (Stuff) Henry Seppings White (1849-1937), a prominent illustrator for Vanity Fair during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and who worked under the pseudonym 'Stuff', carved a distinctive niche in the realm of satirical art. Born in 1849 in Redruth, Cornwall, White's work is characterised by its sharp wit and keen observational skills, which brought to life the societal norms and eccentricities of his time. His illustrations often focused on the upper echelons of British society, us...
  8. Vermeer, Johannes Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), born in Delft, Netherlands, is revered as one of the most significant painters of the Dutch Golden Age. His body of work, though relatively modest in size (comprising about 36 known works), exemplifies exquisite mastery of light and colour, which distinguishes his pieces from those of his contemporaries. Vermeer’s renowned works, such as 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and 'The Milkmaid', illustrate intimate domestic scenes filled with atmospheric d...
  9. Walcott, Mary Vaux Mary Vaux Walcott (1860-1940) was an eminent American botanical artist, renowned for her exquisite watercolour illustrations of North American wildflowers. Born into a prominent Quaker family in Philadelphia, she developed a passion for art and nature from a young age following family holidays to the Rocky Mountains in Canada. In 1880, her mother died and at 19 years old Vaux took on the responsibility of caring for her father and two younger brothers. After 1887, she and her brothers went ba...
  10. Broinowski, Gracius Gracius Joseph Broinowski (1837-1913) was a Polish Australian artist and ornithologist known for his detailed illustrations of Australian birds and mammals. Born in 1837 in Walichnowy, Poland, Broinowski was the son of a landowner and military officer. He studied languages, classics and art at Munich University before embarking on a journey to Australia in around 1857. Upon arriving in Australia, Broinowski initially worked various jobs, including working for a publisher in Melbourne and sell...
  11. Botticelli, Sandro Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510), born Alessandro di Mariano di Vanni Filipepi in 1445, was an Italian painter of the Early Renaissance. Botticelli's works are revered for their delicate beauty and poetic quality, capturing the spirit of his era. He was born in Florence, a city brimming with artistic innovation, which influenced his development as an artist. Botticelli trained under the Florentine painter Fra Filippo Lippi, whose influence is evident in Botticelli's graceful figures and ...
  12. Wright, Joseph, of Derby Joseph Wright of Derby (1734-1797) was a pivotal figure in British art, best known for his dramatic use of light and shadow, which anticipated the techniques of later Romantic painters. Born in Derby, he received his initial training in London before embarking on a career that would see him achieve considerable acclaim. Wright's work often focused on themes of science and industry, reflecting the transformative changes of the Industrial Revolution. One of his most notable pieces, 'A...
  13. Alberts, Jacob Jacob Alberts (1860-1941) was a German painter known for his evocative landscapes and genre scenes. Born in 1860 in Westerhever, Germany, Alberts initially pursued a path toward becoming a pastor but eventually turned to art. He studied at the Art Academy of Düsseldorf under notable artists such as Andreas Müller, Heinrich Lauenstein and Johann Peter Theodor Janssen. Later, he continued his education at the Munich Academy of Fine Arts under Wilhelm von Diez. Alberts' artistic journey too...
  14. Pellegrini, Carlo Carlo Pellegrini (1839-1889), also known as Ape, was an Italian caricaturist and illustrator. He was born in Caprese, Tuscany, on March 25, 1839, and later moved to London, where he gained fame for his work. Pellegrini was best known for his caricatures in the British magazine Vanity Fair, where he depicted prominent figures of the Victorian era. His caricatures, characterised by their bold strokes and exaggerated features, captured the essence of his subjects while adding a touch of humour. ...
  15. Cassatt, Mary Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was an American painter and printmaker who played a pivotal role in the Impressionist movement, despite being a woman in a mostly male-dominated field. Born in 1844, in Allegheny City (now part of Pittsburgh), Pennsylvania, Cassatt spent most of her adult life in France, where she developed her artistic career. Cassatt's early artistic education included studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and further training in Paris under Jean-Léon Gérôme, Char...
  16. Bruegel the Elder, Pieter Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569) was a highly influential Flemish painter and printmaker, known for his detailed landscapes and depictions of peasant life. Born in Breda, in the Duchy of Brabant (now The Netherlands), Bruegel is often celebrated for his masterful ability to capture the daily life and customs of his time. Bruegel trained under the painter Pieter Coecke van Aelst and later joined the Antwerp Painter's Guild. His early works include detailed drawings and engravings, sho...