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Donovan, Edward Edward Donovan (1768-1837) was an Anglo-Irish naturalist, illustrator and author who made significant contributions to the natural history field in the early 19th century. Born in 1768 in Cork, Ireland, Donovan was originally surnamed O'Donovan. Although little is known about his family background or early life, he is presumed to have had some independent wealth which allowed him to pursue his interests in natural history. Donovan's work primarily involved the collection, description...

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...

Constable, John John Constable (1776-1837) was a British landscape painter who has left an indelible mark on the history of Western Art. Born in June 1776 in East Bergholt, Suffolk, Constable was the son of a prosperous corn merchant. His early years in the picturesque countryside of Suffolk profound influenced his artistic vision. Constable is best known for his idyllic and naturalistic landscapes, capturing the beauty of rural England with an unprecedented level of detail and atmospheric effect. Unlike ma...

Fuertes, Louis Agassiz Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1874-1927) was a distinguished American ornithologist, artist and illustrator, celebrated for his contributions to the field of natural history. Born in 1874 in Ithaca, New York, Fuertes was named after the renowned naturalist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, reflecting his family's scientific heritage. His father, Estevan Fuertes, was a Puerto Rican astronomer and civil engineer, which further influenced his scientific pursuits. Fuertes developed a passion for birds an...

Leighton, Lord Frederic Lord Frederic Leighton (1830-1896) was a prominent British painter and sculptor, celebrated for his classical and historical subject matter. Born on December 3, 1830, in Scarborough, Yorkshire, Leighton was the son of a medical doctor and grew up in a wealthy family. His artistic talent was evident from a young age, and he received his education at various European academies, including the Accademia di Belle Arti in Florence and the École des Beaux-Art in Paris. Leighton's early works wer...

Lydon, Alexander Alexander Francis Lydon (1836-1917) was an English watercolour artist, illustrator and engraver, best known for his natural history studies and landscapes. Born in Newbridge, Ireland, Lydon was the eldest of at least six children in a family of travellers. His father, Patrick Lydon, was a Chelsea Pensioner and Relieving Officer of Driffield Union, and his mother, Elizabeth Gwillym, was the daughter of a Lutheran pastor. Lydon's artistic journey began when he was apprenticed to the printer...

Rossetti, Dante Gabriel Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882) was a pivotal figure in the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, a group of English painters, poets and critics that sought to challenge the conventions of art and literature during the Victorian era. Rossetti, the son of Italian expatriates, had a deep appreciation for his heritage, which influenced both his art and poetry. Initially studying at the Royal Academy and later at the King's College School, Rossetti's early career was marked by a fusion of artist...

Velázquez, Diego Diego Velázquez (1599-1660), born in Seville, remains one of the most revered Spanish painters of the Baroque era. His mastery of realism and innovative techniques significantly influenced the trajectory of Western art. Apprenticed at a young age, Velázquez quickly developed a distinctive style characterised by his keen observation of light and texture, which brought life to his subjects. In 1623, he was appointed court painter to King Philip IV, a position that allowed him to produce some of...

Cézanne, Paul Paul Cézanne (1839-1906) is often hailed as one of the most influential painters in the history of modern art. Born in 1839 in Aix-en-Provence, France, Cézanne's work laid the foundation for the transition from 19th-century Impressionism to the radically different world of 20th-century Cubism. His innovative approach to form, colour and composition significantly influenced later artists such as Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Cézanne began his artistic journey in Paris, where he met and ...

Mednyánszky, László László Mednyánszky (1852-1919), born Ladislaus Balthasar Mednyánszky, was a distinguished Hungarian painter and philosopher, often considered one of the most enigmatic figures in the history of Hungarian art. Born on April 23, 1852, in Beckó, Kingdom of Hungary (present-day Slovakia), Mednyánszky came from an aristocratic family with landowning roots. Mednyánszky's artistic journey began under the guidance of Austrian artist Thomas Ender, who took an interest in his early drawings. He la...