Gari Melchers: Tributes

"The Fencer"
by Gari Melchers

"The accolades that Gari Melchers received at the time of his death testify to the respect he enjoyed among his fellow artists and others he had known and worked with during his life. His impressive New York Times obituary contains words of praise from such art world luminaries as John Sloan, Charles Dana Gibson, Childe Hassam, and the architect Cass Gilbert.

Childe Hassam wrote: 'The sudden death of my old friend and confrère, Gari Melchers, ends a friendship of fifty years - we met in Paris in our students days - and a half century of modern art history. He was always the sound craftsman and a firm believer in an academic training - I use this term in its best sense - and the study of the master, old and new. Once may see in the beautiful galleries of the National Institute and American Academy of Arts and Letters a most comprehensive and find exhibition of his work. It may be seen by all, and what better monument or more fitting exposition of his ability could be had - no word of mine may add to it!'

Robert Underwood Johnson: 'Aside from his distinction as a painter - in which regard I believe his fame will steadily increase - Gari Melchers was one of the most admirable and lovable of men. While holding his own in a discussion, for he had pronounced convictions, he did so with gentleness and without dogmatism. He was modestly hesitant before expressing opinions on topics new to him. He was affectionate and intensely loyal to his friends, simply and democratic in his attitude toward others and without the slightest affectation or pretension. He was sincerely jealous of the principles of his art and would not budge from them an inch for conventional or personal reasons. He had the generous appreciation of the artistic achievement of others that goes with an impersonal belief in the supreme value of art...'

Scores of telegrams, letters, and memorial flowers poured into Belmont from friends, relatives, fellow artists, and dignitaries. Always a lady, Mrs. Melchers answered or thanked every single person. 

Other tributes came in the form of posthumous exhibitions. A major memorial show was mounted at the Corcoran Gallery of Art in the fall of 1933. Commemorative exhibitions were held in the following years at the Carnegie Institute, Pittsburgh; the Telfair Academy of Arts and Sciences, Savannah; and the Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, Ohio. Shows of his works were also mounted at the Baltimore Museum of Art in 1935 and at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in 1938."

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