Yesterday in Art History
🎂 Isaac van Ostade (1621–1649)
Born in Haarlem and baptized on June 2, 1621, Isaac van Ostade was a Dutch genre and landscape painter of the Baroque period. He was the younger brother of Adriaen van Ostade, under whom he initially trained. Isaac became a member of the Haarlem painters' guild in 1643 and developed his own distinctive style before his untimely death at the age of 28.
Isaac's works are celebrated for their vivid depictions of rural life, winter scenes, and bustling village landscapes. His painting "A Winter Scene" (c.1645) exemplifies his ability to capture the atmosphere and daily activities of 17th-century Dutch countryside.
🎂 Émile Munier (1840–1895)
Émile Munier was born on June 2, 1840, in Paris. He was a French academic artist and a student of William-Adolphe Bouguereau. Munier's works often depict tender scenes of children and domestic life, rendered with meticulous attention to detail.
His painting "May I Have One Too?" showcases his skill in portraying innocence and emotion, contributing to the popularity of genre painting in 19th-century France. Munier's art remains appreciated for its warmth and technical excellence.
🎂 Frank Runacres (1904–1974)
Born in London on June 2, 1904, Frank Runacres was an English painter and educator. He studied at Saint Martin's School of Art, the Slade School of Fine Art, and the Royal College of Art. Runacres exhibited at the Royal Academy and taught at the Hornsey College of Art.
His works, such as "Old Mill near Barnstable" (1946), reflect his interest in capturing the English landscape with a delicate interplay of light and color, contributing to mid-20th-century British art.
🎂 Ruth Atkinson (1918–1997)
Ruth Atkinson was born on June 2, 1918, in Toronto, Canada. She was a pioneering female cartoonist and comic book writer-artist who helped create the long-running Marvel Comics characters Millie the Model and Patsy Walker.
Atkinson's contributions broke gender barriers in the comic book industry, paving the way for future generations of female artists and writers in the field.
🎂 Richard Long (1945– )
Born on June 2, 1945, in Bristol, England, Richard Long is a renowned British sculptor, photographer, and land artist. He studied at Saint Martin's School of Art and is known for his works that explore the relationship between man and nature through walking and natural materials.
Long's art, such as "A Line Made by Walking" (1967), redefines sculpture by using the landscape itself as both medium and subject, influencing contemporary art's approach to environmental themes.
🎂 Gilbert Baker (1951–2017)
Gilbert Baker was born on June 2, 1951, in Chanute, Kansas. He was an American artist, designer, and activist, best known for creating the rainbow flag in 1978, a symbol of LGBTQ+ pride and diversity.
Baker's design has become an enduring emblem of the LGBTQ+ community worldwide, representing inclusion and the ongoing fight for equal rights.
🕯️ Ogata Kōrin (1658–1716)
Ogata Kōrin, who died on June 2, 1716, was a Japanese painter and lacquerer of the Rinpa school. He is renowned for his byōbu folding screens, such as "Irises" and "Red and White Plum Blossoms," which are considered National Treasures.
Kōrin's work is characterized by bold designs and vibrant colors, influencing Japanese aesthetics and decorative arts profoundly.
🕯️ William Tate (1747–1806)
William Tate, who died on June 2, 1806, was an English portrait painter and a pupil of Joseph Wright of Derby. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and was known for his portraits that captured the character and status of his subjects.
Tate's works contribute to the understanding of 18th-century British portraiture, reflecting the social and cultural milieu of his time.
🕯️Hüseyin Avni Lifij (1886–1927)
Hüseyin Avni Lifij, who died in 1927, was a Turkish painter known for his impressionistic landscapes and portraits. He played a significant role in the development of modern Turkish painting, blending Western techniques with Ottoman themes.
Lifij's art reflects the cultural transformation of Turkey in the early 20th century, marking a bridge between tradition and modernity.
🕯️Hugo van Lawick (1937–2002)
Hugo van Lawick, who died in 2002, was a Dutch wildlife filmmaker and photographer. He is best known for his work documenting the behavior of chimpanzees in Tanzania alongside primatologist Jane Goodall.
Van Lawick's films and photographs brought the wonders of wildlife to global audiences, raising awareness about conservation and the natural world.
Today in the Art World
Netherlands: “Flourish” – Kehinde Wiley at Museum Van Loon, Amsterdam
From May 29 to August 31, 2025, the historic Museum Van Loon hosts “Flourish”, a solo exhibition by Kehinde Wiley — his first in the Netherlands. Renowned for reimagining classical European portraiture with contemporary Black subjects, Wiley places his figures in striking, majestic poses set against richly detailed, often floral backgrounds.
In the opulent rooms of the Van Loon mansion, the contrast between Wiley’s modern iconography and the museum’s aristocratic setting deepens the dialogue about power, identity, and visibility. This powerful exhibition presents not just a visual feast, but a necessary cultural reflection.
France: “David Hockney 25” at Fondation Louis Vuitton, Paris
On display from April 9 through August 31, 2025, “David Hockney 25” is the most comprehensive retrospective of the artist to date. Featuring over 400 works — paintings, drawings, stage designs, and digital compositions — the exhibition traces seven decades of one of Britain’s most innovative minds.
From California swimming pools to iPad drawings, Hockney’s visual vocabulary blends color, light, and a deep curiosity for perception. This exhibition offers both longtime admirers and new audiences a profound encounter with one of contemporary art’s most enduring figures.
United States: “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style” at The Met, New York
The National Gallery's "After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art" exhibition traces the evolution of art from the late 19th to the early 20th century. It showcases works by artists like Cézanne, Van Gogh, and Matisse, illustrating the transition from Impressionism to modernism.
This exhibition provides a comprehensive look at the innovations that shaped modern art, highlighting the bold experimentation and new ideas that emerged during this transformative period.
Stay tuned for tomorrow's edition of ART FLASH | Yesterday & Today
for more insights into the art world's past and present.
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