Concise Dictionary of Art & Literature [antikvár]

A Aalto, Alvar (1898-1976) Finnish architect who influ-enced 20th-century architecture away from the strong geometrie shapes of Constructivism towards softer curves and more irregulär forms. He was also a designer of Artek furniture. In Finland he worked on postwar reconstruction in civic and industrial design. Major exhibitions were in Paris (1937) and New York (1938). He taught architecture at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1948-50). Important works include the War Memorial at Suomussalmi (1960) and the town hall at Saynatsalo (1950-2). Abbey, Edwin Austen (1852-1911) American illustrator and painter of historical scenes. He worked both in the US and England and was the official painter at the coronation of Edward VII in 1902. He illustrated populär magazines, such as Harper's, and one of his best-known paintings is the portrait of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and Lady Anne. Abbey Theatre An Irish theatre founded in Dublin in 1904 by Yeats and Lady Gregory. The Abbey quickly became the major venue for new Irish drama, staging plays by, notably, Synge, Shaw and O'Casey as well as by Yeats and Lady Gregory. Abelard, Peter (1079-1142) French theologian and philosopher. He began lecturing at Notre Dame in Paris in 1115 and soon gained a réputation as a formidable adversary in theological debate. He professed the