History – Demeer Fine Art

Rather than tell you about myself, I think it would be much more interesting to talk about the reasons behind the work I’m doing.

Obviously I enjoy drawing and painting, but my choices are based on some very early thoughts that have stayed with me throughout my life.

I have always wondered what it would be like to meet interesting people from the past.
For me, Michaelangelo is a standout for example.
There are many others as well, and all for different reasons. As a result my painting journey blends history with fiction wrapped inside dreams embellished with imagination to create scenes and visions that include some historical figures as well as fabricated characters who may prove fun to bring to life.

Looking to the future perhaps this is where we may go. But in the mean time we start from about 100 years ago.

What follows is a very abridged perspective of where we have been along with a look at a RANDOM list of personalities who have so greatly impacted human history, and may inspire my current and future works…

The early 20th century was profoundly shaped by a diverse group of innovators and visionaries.

The Wright brothers revolutionized transportation with their successful flight of the first powered airplane in 1903. Picasso, with his groundbreaking Cubist and Surrealist works, transformed the art world. Frances Benjamin Johnston, a pioneering photographer, captured women’s roles and changes of American society. Modigliani, with his distinctive style, contributed to the development of modernist art. Sigmund Freud, the father of psychoanalysis, profoundly impacted psychology and the understanding of human.

Barely scratching the surface…

1800’s

The 19th century was a period of profound change and innovation, shaped by remarkable individuals who left a lasting impact on their fields and society.

Marie Curie, with her groundbreaking work in radioactivity, laid the foundation for advancements in medical science and chemistry, becoming the first woman to win a Nobel Prize. Vincent van Gogh, revolutionized art with his emotive use of color and brushwork, influencing the course of modern painting. Edgar Degas, a master of capturing the human form in movement, contributed to the Impressionist movement with his innovative depictions of ballet dancers and everyday life. Abraham Lincoln, guided the nation through the Civil War, preserving the Union and setting the stage for the abolition of slavery. Harriet Tubman, an extraordinary conductor of the Underground Railroad, risked her life to lead enslaved people to freedom. Charles Darwin fundamentally transformed biological sciences with his theory of evolution by natural selection, challenging existing paradigms and shaping our understanding of life on Earth. We could go on and on…

http://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/294434

Unidentified photographer, A large albumen photograph of Harriet Tubman by Tabby Studios in Auburn, NY. Enlarged from an older print.

1700’s

The 18th century was a vibrant period of cultural and scientific advancement, with several key figures driving significant change.

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a prodigious talented & creative composer, enriched the world with his symphonies, and operas setting new standards in classical music. Jane Austen, though her works gained widespread acclaim posthumously, subtly critiqued social structures and gender roles influencing literature with her keen observations and wit. Benjamin Franklin, made enduring contributions through his inventions, scientific discoveries, and diplomatic efforts. Ludwig van Beethoven, whose career spanned the late 18th and early 19th centuries, pushed the boundaries of classical music with his innovative compositions, blending tradition with personal expression and laying the groundwork for the Romantic era. James Watt revolutionized industry with his improvements to the steam engine, fueling the Industrial Revolution and transforming production processes across the globe. Sir Isaac Newton’s groundbreaking work in mathematics and physics, particularly his formulation of the laws of motion and universal gravitation, revolutionized science and laid the foundation for classical mechanics. And there are so many more…

1600’s

The 17th century was a transformative era marked by the contributions of several influential figures.

Galileo Galilei, with his pioneering use of the telescope, laid the groundwork for modern physics and astronomy, challenging prevailing views and advancing scientific understanding. Johannes Kepler, through his laws of planetary motion, provided crucial insights into the mechanics of the solar system, further solidifying the foundation for Newtonian physics. In the realm of art, Johannes Vermeer captured the intimate and everyday moments of Dutch life with unparalleled skill, offering a window into 17th-century domesticity.

Louise-Elisabeth Vigée Le Brun, although more prominent in the 18th century, began her influential career in the late 17th century; she became one of the most renowned portraitists of her time, known for her sophisticated and flattering depictions of European royalty and aristocracy. William Shakespeare, whose works straddled the late 16th and early 17th centuries, continued to shape English literature with his profound exploration of human nature and complex characters, leaving a legacy that would define drama and poetry for centuries…

1500’s

The 16th century was a remarkable period of artistic and intellectual flourishing, greatly influenced by several key figures.

Michelangelo Buonarroti, with his masterpieces such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling and the statue of David, redefined the standards of Renaissance art and sculpture, blending profound emotional expression with technical mastery. Raphael Sanzio, known for his harmonious compositions and idealized portrayals, contributed significantly to the High Renaissance’s aesthetic and intellectual legacy. Niccolò Machiavelli, through his seminal work *The Prince*, offered a pragmatic approach to political theory that would influence political thought for centuries. Vasco da Gama’s successful voyage to India established a crucial maritime route that expanded European exploration and trade across the Indian Ocean. Titian, a leading Venetian painter, brought vibrancy and realism to Renaissance art with his dynamic use of color and his portraits of European nobility. Nicolaus Copernicus challenged the geocentric view of the universe with his heliocentric model, fundamentally altering the course of astronomy and scientific thought.

1400’s

The 15th century was a pivotal time of transition and discovery, marked by the contributions of several influential figures.

Joan of Arc, a symbol of courage and faith, played a crucial role in the Hundred Years’ War, rallying French forces and significantly altering the course of the conflict with her visionary leadership. Leonardo da Vinci, whose genius spanned art, science, and engineering, laid the groundwork for many modern scientific principles with his detailed anatomical studies and inventions. Johannes Gutenberg revolutionized the dissemination of knowledge with his invention of the movable-type printing press, making books more accessible and fostering the spread of Renaissance ideas. Queen Isabella I of Castile, alongside her husband Ferdinand II, unified Spain and supported Christopher Columbus’s voyages, which led to the European exploration and colonization of the Americas. Christopher Columbus’s 1492 expedition opened up the New World to European exploration and had profound global implications. Filippo Brunelleschi, with his architectural innovations, notably the dome of the Florence Cathedral, advanced the Renaissance style and techniques, influencing the development of architecture in the Western world.

1300’s

The 14th century was a time of significant cultural and intellectual development, with several key figures making lasting impacts.

Christine de Pizan, an early feminist and prolific writer, challenged contemporary gender norms with her works such as The Book of the City of Ladies, advocating for women’s intellectual and social empowerment. Francesco Petrarca, a pioneering humanist and poet, laid the groundwork for Renaissance literature with his sonnets, especially those dedicated to Laura, and his revival of classical Latin texts, which spurred the humanist movement. Additionally, Giovanni Boccaccio contributed to the literary world with The Decameron, a collection of stories that provided insight into 14th-century life and human nature, and his work influenced both literature and the development of the novel.

1200’s

The 13th century was a period of profound exploration and intellectual development, shaped by several notable figures.

Marco Polo, the Venetian merchant and explorer, expanded European knowledge of Asia with his detailed accounts of his travels to the Mongol Empire, which sparked curiosity and inspired future explorers. Dante Alighieri, a towering literary figure, composed The Divine Comedy, an epic poem that intricately explored themes of morality, the afterlife, and human nature, leaving an enduring legacy on literature and theology. Additionally, Thomas Aquinas made significant contributions to philosophy and theology with his synthesis of Aristotelian philosophy and Christian doctrine which became foundational for Scholastic thought. Meanwhile, the establishment of the University of Paris and the flourishing of scholasticism marked a period of intellectual rigor and academic advancement.

1100’s

The 12th century was a dynamic era marked by significant figures who influenced both intellectual and political realms.

Peter Abelard, a renowned philosopher and theologian, made substantial contributions to medieval scholasticism with his innovative approach to logic and ethics, while his famous and tumultuous relationship with Héloïse, an accomplished scholar in her own right, became a poignant symbol of intellectual and personal passion. Saladin, the formidable Muslim leader, rose to prominence as the Sultan of Egypt and Syria, and his leadership during the Crusades, particularly his recapture of Jerusalem in 1187, made him a key figure in the Middle Eastern and European historical narratives. Additionally, figures like Richard the Lionheart and King Philip Augustus played crucial roles in the Crusades and the political landscape of the time.

The 12th century also witnessed a surge in cultural and intellectual growth, epitomized by the establishment of the first medieval universities and the translation movement, which brought classical knowledge from Arabic into Latin, significantly impacting European learning. Together, these individuals and developments helped shape a century of profound change and cross-cultural exchange.

1000’s

The 11th century was a pivotal period marked by transformative figures and events that reshaped European history.

William the Conqueror, dramatically altered the course of English history with his victory at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, which led to the Norman Conquest of England and profound changes in the English social and political landscape. Pope Gregory VII was instrumental in the Investiture Controversy, a major conflict between the papacy and secular rulers over the appointment of church officials, which emphasized the growing power of the papacy and laid the groundwork for the future relationship between church and state. Additionally, figures like Emperor Henry IV, who was embroiled in the struggle with Gregory VII, and influential reformers like Peter Damian contributed to the broader context of church reform and the consolidation of feudal power. This century also saw the beginnings of the Crusades, with the First Crusade being launched at the end of the century, setting the stage for centuries of religious and military conflict. Collectively, these individuals and events marked the 11th century as a time of significant political, religious, and social transformation in Europe.

The first millennium was a dynamic period of significant transformation and influence, marked by the contributions of many pivotal figures.

Charlemagne, crowned Emperor of the Carolingian Empire in 800, revitalized the Western Roman Empire’s legacy, fostering a cultural and intellectual revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance. Justinian I, the Byzantine Emperor, is celebrated for his legal reforms through the *Corpus Juris Civilis*, which became a cornerstone of European legal tradition. Abu Bakr al-Razi, an eminent Persian physician and chemist, advanced medical knowledge with his pioneering work on smallpox and measles and his influential treatises on alchemy.

During the time of Christ, several influential figures made significant impacts on the world through their actions and teachings.

Jesus of Nazareth himself, whose life and teachings became the foundation of Christianity, profoundly transformed religious and cultural landscapes with his message of love, forgiveness, and salvation. In the political realm, Herod the Great, as the Roman-appointed King of Judea, played a crucial role in shaping the region’s governance and was a key figure in the narrative of the Nativity. The Roman Emperor Augustus (Octavian), who established the Pax Romana, provided a period of relative peace and stability that allowed for the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

The world before Christ was profoundly shaped by a number of extraordinary individuals whose legacies continued to influence subsequent history.

Alexander the Great, the Macedonian conqueror, expanded his empire across three continents, spreading Greek culture and ideas throughout the known world and laying the groundwork for the Hellenistic era. Socrates, the Athenian philosopher, established foundational principles of Western thought through his dialectical method, challenging assumptions and encouraging critical thinking. Homer, traditionally considered the author of *The Iliad* and *The Odyssey*, immortalized Greek heroic values and myths, influencing literature and culture across the ancient world. Cleopatra VII, the last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, was a key political figure whose alliances with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony played a crucial role in the late Roman Republic’s history. Mark Antony, a Roman general and politician, was instrumental in the power struggles following Julius Caesar’s assassination, shaping the transition from Republic to Empire. Collectively, these figures shaped the political, philosophical, and cultural landscapes of their time, leaving a lasting impact that reverberated through the centuries.