Few artists have captured the innocence and joy of Christmas like Norman Rockwell.

Let's take a look at some of his works on the Christmas season…🧵 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘏𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨, 1948

Gilbert Stuart was the most famous portrait artist of colonial America.

He was commissioned to paint portraits of six US presidents.

Let’s take a look at some of his work…🧵 The Skater (Portrait of William Grant), 1782

Sir Richard Francis Burton spoke 29 languages, translated the Kama Sutra into English, and completed the Hajj pilgrimage.

These accomplishments are the tip of the iceberg for this Victorian era gentleman.

Let’s explore his extraordinary life…🧵 Born in 1821 to an Army officer, young Richard's family traveled widely. As a child, he learned Latin, French, and Italian. While at Oxford, he also learned Arabic and Greek. He would ultimately speak 29 languages to include Persian, Punjabi, and a variety of African languages.

Edward Hopper was one of America’s most renowned realist artists.

Reluctant to discuss his art, he once remarked, “The whole answer is there on the canvas.”

Let’s find the answers…🧵 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘠𝘰𝘳𝘬 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘵, 1922

Albert Bierstadt was the most prolific landscape painter of the 19th Century. The romantic style and emotional impact of his work made him known around the world.

Join me as we embark on a visual journey through some of his most magnificent works... 🧵 Bierstadt was born in Prussia in 1830 but immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts with his family when he was one year of age. Bierstadt primarily sketched until 1851, when he began to paint in oils. Two years later, he returned to Germany and studied art in Dusseldorf for several years.

Imagine being a famous race car driver, a war hero, and the CEO of a successful airline. This isn’t the plot of a movie, it’s the life of Eddie Rickenbacker and it's only the beginning.

Let’s learn more about the life of this American Hero…🧵 Eddie was born in Columbus, Ohio on October 8, 1890. The third of eight kids, Eddie escaped death on several occasions. This would be a recurring theme throughout his life. When his father died, he dropped out of school in order to earn money for his family.

The Roman Empire endured for centuries, stretching across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. The remains of this great empire are still scattered about its former territories.

Let’s explore some of the incredible structures still standing today…🧵 1) The Roman Temple (Baalbek, Lebanon)
Constructed under Emperor Antoninus Pius in 150 AD, this site is home to the once great Temple of Jupiter, the largest in the Roman Empire. The nearby Temple of Bacchus remains very well preserved, having been restored in the 19th century.

Albert Bierstadt was the most prolific American landscape painter of the 19th Century. He was renowned across Europe and North America, and captured the beauty of the American West like no other.

Let’s take a look at the man and his most famous pieces of art…🧵 Bierstadt was born in Prussia in 1830 but immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts with his family when he was one year of age. Bierstadt primarily sketched until 1851, when he began to paint in oils. Two years later, he returned to Germany and studied art in Dusseldorf for several years.
𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴, 1853

Carl von Clausewitz is one of the greatest military strategists of all time. His writings still influence leaders today.

Let’s review his thoughts on winning a war…🧵 Clausewitz first became a soldier at 12 years of age. He later entered the Military Academy of Berlin in 1801 and ultimately fought in the Napoleonic Wars. Captured by Napoleon’s forces, Clausewitz was a prisoner in France from 1807-1808.

Frederick Burnham was the most decorated American in the Boer War and dined with Queen Victoria.

Explorer, war hero, oil tycoon, and father of the boy scouts, let's explore his amazing life ...🧵 Frederick Russell Burnham grew up on an Indian reservation in rural Minnesota where he quickly learned the ways of American Indians. By the age of 12, his family had moved to California where his father died unexpectedly. The oldest son, Burnham went to work to support his widowed mother and younger brother. Among other jobs, he worked as a rider for the Western Union Telegraph Company throughout the Southwest

David Livingstone was a physician, Christian missionary, and a prolific explorer of Africa.

One of the most famous men of the Victorian era, let’s explore his life…🧵 Livingstone was born in Blantyre, Scotland on March 19, 1813. He was one of seven children born to cotton factory workers. At ten years of age, he went to work in the cotton factory as well, working 12 hour shifts. His father’s deep faith and love of books rubbed off on the young David, as he developed a tremendous love of reading. After reading a book on Christian missionaries, he convinced his father that a career in medicine would enable him to do missionary work.

Norman Rockwell painted some of the most iconic scenes of American life. His images evoke a reverence for traditional family and American values.

Let’s review his background and some of his most memorable paintings…🧵 Norman Percevel Rockwell was born in 1894 in New York City. His artistic talent was recognized as a child and he attended the Chase Art School at 14 years of age, and later the Art Students League of New York. While in school he began producing illustrations for magazines, including 𝘉𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦, the magazine of the Boy Scouts of America.

Pete Dawkins is a living legend. His life is like a character in a great novel yet many today don't know his amazing story.

Heisman trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar, and Army General are just a few of his accomplishments.

Let’s take a look at his amazing life…🧵 Born in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1938, Dawkins suffered from polio as a child. After recovering, he attended the Cranbrook School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Although accepted to Yale University, Dawkins opted to attend West Point instead.

Frederic Remington is an American artist best known for his paintings and sculptures of the Old West.

His iconic images of American Indians, cowboys, and cavalry soldiers immortalize the heroes of the frontier.

Let’s review his amazing work...🧵 Born in Canton, New York in 1861, Remington was a poor student but displayed artistic ability at an early age. Despite his father’s wishes that he attend West Point, Remington attended Yale University where he boxed and played football. At the age of 19, he visited Montana where he first observed the frontier and the images which would inspire his artistic greatness.

Sir Richard Francis Burton spoke 29 languages, translated the Kama Sutra into English, and completed the Hajj pilgrimage..

These accomplishments are the tip of the iceberg for this Victorian era gentleman.

Let’s explore his extraordinary life…🧵 Born in 1821 to a British Army officer, Young Richard's family traveled widely. From early on, it was apparent he had a gift for languages. As a child, he learned Latin, French, and Italian. While at Oxford, he also learned Arabic and Greek. Throughout his life, he continued to learn and would ultimately speak 29 languages to include Persian, Punjabi, and a variety of African languages.