Gari Melchers: "In the Studio, Hugo Reisinger & Gari Melchers"

"In the Studio" by Gari Melchers

Preparatory Studies for "In the Studio"

"Gari and Corinne Melchers were invited to social entertainments and diversions of every kind during their time in Weimar, Germany. Her letters to her mother are filled with descriptions of lavish and festive gatherings, including a masked ball. They also benefited from the full range of cultural activities available in this artistic mecca, such as operas, symphony concerts, and plays.

The most noteworthy painting executed by Melchers during his stay at Weimar is 'In the Studio, Hugo Reisinger and Gari Melchers,' which is now in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hugo Reisinger was an American of German extraction who was deeply involved in promoting cultural exchanges between Germany and America. This double portrait shows the artist in shirt sleeves about to put brush to canvas as the entrepreneur looks at the work in progress. Preparatory sketches give a fascinating insight into the evolution of this painting. 

Some have wondered, because of this painting, if Melchers was left-handed, but this is easily answered by looking at other artists' portraits of him and also photographs of him painting. He was definitely right-handed, and must have done this particular self-portrait using a mirror.

Reisinger expressed to Melchers his delight with the double portrait and wrote at some length about the shows in which 'our portrait' would be exhibited. Other letters describe the warm relationship between Reisinger and Melchers. Reisinger stayed at the Melchers' home in Weimar in early March 1910, and shortly thereafter Corinne and Gari attended the Berlin opening of an exhibition of American art which Reisinger organized for the Berlin Academy. Melchers advised him on the selection of paintings for this show and was represented in it by three works, including his 'Portrait of Theodore Roosevelt.' Later letters from Reisinger to Melchers include reports on current art shows and the expression of negative opinions of avant-garde art."

To be continued

(Excerpts from "Gari Melchers: His Life and Art" by Joseph G. Dreiss.)