Gari Melchers was an American painter known for his realistic style and international career. Born in Detroit in 1860, he studied art in Germany and quickly gained recognition in Europe for his portraits and scenes of everyday life. His paintings often showed ordinary people with honesty and warmth, setting him apart from more romantic or idealized styles of the time.

Melchers lived and worked in Europe for many years before returning to the United States, where he became a leading figure in American art. He was widely respected as both an artist and a teacher, serving as professor of art at the Corcoran School in Washington, D.C.

Later in life, Melchers and his wife Corinne settled at Belmont, their home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Today, Belmont is a museum that preserves his legacy and celebrates his role as one of the most accomplished American artists of his generation.