Franz Liszt: "Truth is a great flirt"

• Music embodies feeling without forcing it to contend and combine with thought, as it is forced in most arts and especially in the art of words.
• I conclude that the Wagnerian operas which are already in the repertoire, and other master works as well, stand in no further need of my services.
• I did not compose my work as one might put on a church vestment… rather it sprung from the truly fervent faith of my heart, such as I have felt it since my childhood.
• I find little in the works of Beethoven, Berlioz, Wagner and others when they are led by a conductor who functions like a windmill.
• I foster a sorrowful conception of affection. Make no sacrifices.
• In Hungary all native music, in its origin, is divided naturally into melody destined for song or melody for the dance.
• Inspiration is enough to give expression to the tone in singing, especially when the song is without words.
• It is impossible to imagine a more complete fusion with nature than that of the Gypsy.
• It is my fervent wish and my greatest ambition to leave a work with a few useful instructions for the pianists after me.

Franz Liszt Fantasizing at the Piano, 1840 (detail) by Josef Danhauser ▪ Alte Nationalgalerie ▪

Joanna Zjawinska, 1950 | Figurative painter

Joanna Zjawinska began to paint at the early age of six. She earned her B.A. degree in 1972 from the School of Architecture in Warsaw.

To follow her own dream of being an artist, Joanna then studied at the Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts where she perfected her unique style of oil and watercolor painting.

In 1978 she was awarded a masters degree in Graphic Design with honors in painting from the academy which is one of the most prestigious school in Europe.

Bryce Liston, 1965 | Plein air / Figurative painter

Liston’s artistic inspiration comes largely from the late-19th century; he lists John William Waterhouse, John Singer Sargent🎨, Joaquin Sorolla🎨, Anders Zorn and William Bouguereau🎨 among his strongest influences.

“As an artist my career is dedicated to the integrity and quality of representational fine art”, says Liston. “My goal is to regain the traditions of the past along with the standards of craftsmanship and training. By studying the great artists of the past, we artists of today can once again regain a full command of proficiency to create great works of art… art about life”.

Louise Glück, 1943 | Nobel Prize for Literature

© BBC - This year's Nobel Prize for Literature has been awarded to the US poet Louise Glück.

Glück was recognised for "her unmistakable poetic voice, that with austere beauty makes individual existence universal" said the Swedish Academy, which oversees the award.

The Academy added she was "surprised" when she received their phone call.

Glück, born in New York, lives in Massachusetts and is also professor of English at Yale University.

The Academy's permanent secretary Mats Malm said he had spoken to Glück just before making the announcement.

"The message came as a surprise, but a welcome one as far as I could tell" - he said.

Louise Gluck / Fabian Perez | Retreating Wind / Vento calante

When I made you, I loved you.

Now I pity you.

I gave you all you needed:

bed of earth, blanket of blue air -

As I get further away from you

I see you more clearly.

Your souls should have been immense by now,

not what they are,

small talking things--

Nino Chakvetadze, 1971 | Kid's Book illustrator

Nino Chakvetadze in an Georgian painter and Kid’s Book illustrator.

She draws inspiration from everyday moments and her paintings depict love, friendship, human relationships, and peace.

According to the artist, she found her particular style in 2010 and her nostalgic paintings are based on memories that are relatable for many viewers.

El Greco | L'eredità artistica

El Greco (1541-1614) fu molto poco considerato dalle generazioni immediatamente successive, perché il suo lavoro sotto molti aspetti era opposto ai principi del primo stile barocco che iniziò ad imporsi verso gli inizi del XVII secolo e che presto finì per soppiantare gli ultimi fuochi del manierismo del XVI secolo.

El Greco fu giudicato incomprensibile e non ebbe seguaci di rilievo.

Solo suo figlio e alcuni altri sconosciuti pittori realizzarono delle poco valide imitazioni dei suoi lavori.

Tra la fine del XVII secolo e l'inizio del XVIII dei critici spagnoli iniziarono a lodare la sua abilità, criticando però al contempo il suo stile anti-naturalistico e la sua complessa iconografia.

Sir Alfred Munnings | Romantic Equestrian painter

Sir Alfred James Munnings, KCVO, PRA (8 October 1878 - 17 July 1959) was known as one of England's finest painters of horses, and as an outspoken critic of Modernism.

Engaged by Lord Beaverbrook's Canadian War Memorials Fund, he earned several prestigious commissions after the Great War that made him wealthy.

Munnings was elected president of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1944.