It was a freezing windy afternoon. Don't let the sunny skies fool you. When we left home it was 17 degrees. Thank goodness the sun was shining and the sky was a beautiful azure blue. The lecture was held in a warm pavilion behind Mr. Melchers' studio.
Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne lived at Belmont. They wanted to have a home in a rural area that would allow Gari Melchers to pursue his art in his later years. He was not a starving artist and did quite well for himself. They bought 27 acres on the banks of the Rappahannock River. If you want to know more about Gari Melchers check out http://garimelchers.umw.edu/gari-melchers/ He was a proponent of naturalism and his art work is beautiful.
Mr Melchers was born in Detroit. He was the son of a wood carver and Paris trained sculptor. His father sent him abroad at seventeen, but he actually did not reach Paris for three years. He pursued academic German painting in Dusseldorf, where he was especially fond of the Impressionists, especially Monet. In Paris he studied at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts un Lefebvre and Boulanger.
Belmont is a beautiful property and is quite lovely all seasons of the year.
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| Rappahannock River |
Martha Ellen, I love reading about artist's lives. As I started reading about Gari Melchers I felt I knew his name. I looked at the link you included and loved his paintings. Then I read that he was part of the Hague School painters and instantly it came to me. I ran to the print I've had hanging on my wall for almost 46 years called Mother and Child that he did. It was given to us a few months after we were married because we let the encyclopedia salesman in the door and give his pitch. I was drawn to the print because I felt the woman looked like me! It would be 10 years before I had my first child, but it was my second child 3 years later that looked like the baby in the painting. This is the painting: http://garimelchers.umw.edu/gari-melchers/so-you-think-you-have-a-melchers/ I had no idea his home was so close by. We'll have to visit it now.
ReplyDeleteCathy, That is amazing that you have a print of his Mother and Child. It is one of my favorites of his! I almost bought a brooch with this painting on it yesterday! If you decide to come to Belmont I would love to see you! It's a wonderful place to visit with his home and studio open, you would enjoy it! ♥
DeleteIt would be such an easy day trip for us in the Spring. I'll let you know when we do it.
DeleteWhat a beautiful spot--just the kind of place we would go to. The house is lovely and I like the stonework on the pavilion,
ReplyDeleteDotsie, it is believed that some of the stone was recovered from the bridgeheads that were dyna mited during the Civil War. The stone studio and surrounds are very scenic- It's a lovely spot. ♥
DeleteBeautiful home and grounds! I'll bet that was a fascinating visit...although I think you were very brave to face those 17 degrees and wind! Brrrrr...
ReplyDeleteCheryl, I will say I didn't tarry around outside too long taking photos! We've had quite a cold snap of weather and now snow. ♥
DeleteHi Martha this looks like a marvelous outing! And the buildings look very lovely!!
ReplyDeleteHave a joyous week, Many Blessings, Linnie
Linnie, the grounds and buildings are in a beautiful setting on the banks of the river. It was a great day to enjoy! Have a lovely week! ♥
DeleteEnjoyed the tour! What a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
It's nice to have such a lovely place nearby! ♥
Deletewhat a wonderful place. I have never heard of this artist. His wife's name is the same as our daughter. Lovely to see somewhere where there is no snow.
ReplyDeleteGill in Southern Ontario
Thanks for stopping by Gill. We do now have around 8 inches of snow! I'm sure you can top that!
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Martha Ellen, I do so love discovering artists whom I have never heard of previously. Such a beautiful setting for a lecture too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this with us and introducing us to Gari Melchers. I have looked at the link and I really do like his work so must now try to find out more about him.
~~~Deb in Wales
Deb, we'll go back soon and take a tour of the studio and home. This lecture was completely off the subject of Melchers. If I recall they don't allow photographs to be taken inside. Gari Melchers was a gifted artist and is not known very well, but quite acomplished. ♥
DeleteMartha, I love the map. Such a marvelous house! But what i really like is the little garden house with the steep roof. You must have a love affair with historic places and times, as do I. Nice setting to create art, for sure.
ReplyDeleteJeri, I do love history as most of my family does--The little gazebo is just beautiful --and such a lovely place to sit and ponder--if it's not freezing! ♥
DeleteBeautiful home and grounds! This artist is new to me so I will enjoy following your link. Even though the sun is shining, it does look cold to me!
ReplyDeleteVee, it's really a shame but not too many folks have heard of Gari Melchers. It's a shame as he was quite gifted. ♥
DeleteIt is true that I was not familiar with his name, but after looking at many of his wonderful paintings, I realize that I have enjoyed some of them before; namely, one called "China Cupboard," which is a sweet slice of domesticity. It was featured in Victoria magazine in 1991. Thank you for featuring him.
DeleteI wasn't aware of his "China Cupboard" being featured in Victoria! I wish I could legally show his paintings! Thanks Vee! ♥
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