January 23 is the birthday of French painter ÉDOUARD MANET (1832-1883).

"There are no lines in nature, only areas of color, one against another."

Manet's "early masterworks, The Luncheon on the Grass (Le déjeuner sur l'herbe) or Olympia, "premiering" in 1863 and '65, respectively, caused great controversy with both critics and the Academy of Fine Arts, but soon were praised by progressive artists as the breakthrough acts to the new style, Impressionism. Today too, these works, along with others, are considered watershed paintings that mark the start of modern art. " (Wikipedia)

To see samples of Manet’s work, CLICK HERE.

January 23 is the birthday of Belgian-Gypsy guitarist DJANGO REINHARDT (1910-1953).

"Jazz attracted me because in it I found a formal perfection and instrumental precision that I admire in classical music, but which popular music doesn't have."

Reinhardt " was a Belgian-French Manouche or Sinti jazz guitarist and composer. Since he was born on Belgian soil, in Liberchies, he is also often named a Belgian musician. He was one of the first major jazz talents to emerge in Europe and has been hailed as one of its most significant exponents." (Wikipedia)

January 23 is the birthday of American television comedy pioneer ERNIE KOVACS (1919-1962).

"Television: A medium. So called because it's neither rare nor well done."

Kovacs' "visually experimental and often spontaneous comedic style influenced numerous television comedy programs for years after his death. Kovacs has been credited as an influence by many individuals and shows ... He also developed such routines as an all-gorilla version of Swan Lake, a poker game set to Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the skit Silent Show, in which Eugene interacts with the world accompanied solely by music and sound effects, parodies of typical television commercials and movie genres, and various musical segments with everyday items (such as kitchen appliances or office equipment) moving in sync to music. A popular recurring skit was The Nairobi Trio, three derby-hatted apes miming mechanically and rhythmically to the tune of Robert Maxwell's "Solfeggio"." (Wikipedia)

January 23 is the birthday of French actress JEANNE MOREAU (1928-2017).

Moreau is best known for her starring roles in Louis Malle's Elevator to the Gallows (1958), Michelangelo Antonioni's La Notte (1961), and François Truffaut's Jules et Jim (1962).

According to Orso Welles, Moreau was "the greatest actress in the world."