Gari Melchers: The Detroit Public Library Murals

"The Landing of Cadillac's Wife"
by Gari Melchers

"The Detroit murals were commissioned in 1921 by Cass Gilbert, architect of the newly constructed library building, whom Gari Melchers knew through their mutual involvement in the Century Association. Gilbert also commissioned murals by Edwin H. Blashfield, who, coincidentally, had worked with Melchers on the Library of  Congress project of 1895. Melchers' three murals, which are set into arches in the library's book-receiving room, depict historical and allegorical subjects related to the settling of Detroit. There were three in the series: 'The Landing of Cadillac's Wife,' 'The Conspiracy of Pontiac,' and 'The Spirit of the Northwest.'

Melchers did extensive research to ensure the historical accuracy of the details of these paintings. Essays on early Detroit were his primary source of information. He also looked at examples of eighteenth-century uniforms in the collection of Henry Ogden, an expert on historic military attire. The map in one of the paintings was copied from the original in the Geographic Society of New York. More than a hundred preparatory studies in a variety of media were made for the Detroit paintings.

At the time of the commission Melchers was living in Falmouth, Virginia, with his wife Corinne. His studio and additional spaces were used to work on the commission.  In fact, according to documentation, he used local townspeople from the Fredericksburg, Virginia area as models for this commission, and his wife Corinne was active making costumes for models as well as posing for 'The Landing of Cadillac’s Wife.' Because of Melchers' age and his deteriorating physical condition resulting from attacks of phlebitis, he called upon his wife’s cousin Robert McGill Mackall, a Baltimore artist to assist him with this monumental work. Mackall was responsible for research sketches, helping to prepare canvases, and most likely he also painted portions of the finished work.  

Once the final canvases were completed in October of 1921 in Virginia they were delivered to the Detroit Public Library and installed under the supervision of Melchers. From the handwritten paper listing his earnings from the year 1921, it appears the he was paid $14,000 for this commission, today that amounts to $180,000.  The murals were well received and remain beloved by Detroit’s proud citizen’s because the murals are a magnificent depiction of their city’s history.

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Gari Melchers: His Works in the Belmont Collection," and "Behind the Scenes: Detroit Public Library Mural Commission," a blogpost by Madison Martin on the Gari Melchers Home & Studio website.)