Norman Rockwell

popular name: Georges Seurat

date_of_death: March 29, 1891

age: 31

cause_of_death: Infectious angina, meningitis, pneumonia

claim_to_fame: Artists

best_know_for: Georges Seurat was a French painter and one of the pioneers of the Pointillist movement, a technique where paintings are made up of tiny dots of color. Born on December 2, 1859, in Paris, Seurat studied at the École des Beaux-Arts, where he developed his unique style. His most famous work, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (1884–1886), exemplifies Pointillism, using meticulous color theory to create vibrant, luminous scenes and is considered one of the icons of late 19th-century painting. Seurat's approach was rooted in scientific studies of color and optics, drawing on the work of theorists like Michel Eugène Chevreul. Although his career was short—he died in 1891 at just 31—his influence on modern art was profound. Seurat also worked with large-scale compositions, focusing on the impact of light and color. His innovative techniques laid the foundation for future movements such as Post-Impressionism and even elements of abstraction. Despite his early death, Seurat's legacy endures, and he remains a significant figure in the evolution of modern art. Upon his untimely death, he was laid to rest at Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris, France.

popular name: Amedeo Modigliani

date_of_death: January 24, 1920

age: 35

cause_of_death: Tubercular meningitis

claim_to_fame: Artists

best_know_for: Amedeo Modigliani was an Italian-born artist who moved to Paris in 1906, where he became known for his distinctive portraits and nudes, characterized by a surreal elongation of faces, necks, and figures — works that were not received well during his lifetime. His style evolved under the influence of various modernist movements, including post-impressionism, cubism, and African art. Modigliani's work often featured an intimate, sensual quality, with a focus on the human figure. Modigliani's life was marked by struggles, including poor health and financial hardship. He battled tuberculosis throughout much of his life, and his bohemian lifestyle in Paris exposed him to both the highs and lows of the city's artistic circles. He was known for his relationships with fellow artists including Pablo Picasso, Maurice Utrillo, Soutine and Constantin Brâncuși, as well as with several prominent women, including Jeanne Hébuterne, who was his muse and companion. Largely unrecognized during his lifetime, Modigliani sold most of his works, but never for any great amount of money and often for a meal or rent. Modigliani gained significant recognition after his death at age 35 where he died from complications of  tubercular meningitis. Today, his works—especially his portraits and nudes—have since become highly valued with the sale of Nu couché (1917–18) sold at auction for $170.4 million in 2015 to billionaire Liu Yiqian. Today, he is considered one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century. Upon his death, he was buried in Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris, France.

popular name: Camille Corot

date_of_death: 22 February 22, 1875

age: 78

cause_of_death: Stomach disease

claim_to_fame: Artists

best_know_for: Camille Corot (1796–1875) was a French artist known for his landscape paintings and his role in the development of the Barbizon School. Born in Paris, he initially studied at the Académie des Beaux-Arts, but he also developed a deep passion for nature, which greatly influenced his work. Corot’s early career involved portrait painting, but he gained fame for his landscapes, especially those inspired by his travels in Italy. Corot became renowned for his poetic approach to nature, with a focus on light and atmosphere. His innovative use of color and brushwork had a significant impact on later artists, particularly the Impressionists. Corot was known for working both outdoors, directly from nature, and in the studio, creating a balance between realism and a more emotional, idealized vision of the landscape. Some of most important works include Ville d'Avray (1865), Venise, La Piazetta and The Bridge at Narni. Throughout his life, Corot received recognition and success, but he remained modest and humble about his work. He exhibited widely, particularly at the Salon, and was highly respected by his contemporaries including Jean-François Millet, Théodore Rousseau, Charles-François Daubigny and Honoré Daumier. His legacy endures as one of the key figures in the transition from classical to modern art, influencing both landscape painting and the evolution of plein-air techniques. Upon his death, he was laid to rest at Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris, France.