Printed: 2024-04-20
Melchers, Robert
Identity
Category
Person (Male)
Alternative name or descriptor
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Status
- Professional
Details
Life dates
Aix-la-Chapelle [Prussia], 1852 - Brussels, 1917
Activity
1874 * - 1880 Charleroi, Rue de la Montagne, 3
° 21.10.1852; + 10.12.1917. Melchers claimed that as a teenage apprentice photographer "with his first bosses, he crossed the battle fields of Sadowa [the decisive battle in the Austro-Prussian War] in 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, to record them in photography" (Gazette de Charleroi, 1.7.1901). Arrived from Brussels on 20.9.1874, accompanied by Emile Gérard Melchers (° Maastricht [NL], 1857). Probably Prosper Bevierre’s operator at this address, until an unspecified date, probably 1880.
1880 * - 1887 Charleroi, Place Verte, 20
In May 1883 he made 12 snapshots of the Charleroi carnival cavalcade. "Developing views of factories and landscapes 3m long in permanent carbon prints" (Union de Charleroi, 10.11.1885).
1888 - 1914 Charleroi, Rue de Montigny, 6
According to contemporary newspaper articles, Melchers was photographer to the Charleroi public prosecutor's office by July 1888 and at least until August 1895 (Gazette de Charleroi, 5.7.1888 & 15.8.1895). On 5.2.1896 he advertised in the "Journal de Charleroi" that he had acquired all of Prosper Bevierre’s negatives, reportedly in very good condition. People wishing to get new prints could now obtain them through him. A sole owner-operator, "he delegates to nobody the effort of operating on his behalf" (Gazette de Charleroi, 1.7.1901). If, as reported, Melchers left for Brussels in 1906, he must have returned soon afterwards, since his studio was listed continuously in the Monod directory. Portrait in oil of Jules Destrée (1862 - 1936), arts and sciences minister, displayed at the Charleroi exhibition of 1911, of which he was president of the organising committee.
° 21.10.1852; + 10.12.1917. Melchers claimed that as a teenage apprentice photographer "with his first bosses, he crossed the battle fields of Sadowa [the decisive battle in the Austro-Prussian War] in 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, to record them in photography" (Gazette de Charleroi, 1.7.1901). Arrived from Brussels on 20.9.1874, accompanied by Emile Gérard Melchers (° Maastricht [NL], 1857). Probably Prosper Bevierre’s operator at this address, until an unspecified date, probably 1880.
1880 * - 1887 Charleroi, Place Verte, 20
In May 1883 he made 12 snapshots of the Charleroi carnival cavalcade. "Developing views of factories and landscapes 3m long in permanent carbon prints" (Union de Charleroi, 10.11.1885).
1888 - 1914 Charleroi, Rue de Montigny, 6
According to contemporary newspaper articles, Melchers was photographer to the Charleroi public prosecutor's office by July 1888 and at least until August 1895 (Gazette de Charleroi, 5.7.1888 & 15.8.1895). On 5.2.1896 he advertised in the "Journal de Charleroi" that he had acquired all of Prosper Bevierre’s negatives, reportedly in very good condition. People wishing to get new prints could now obtain them through him. A sole owner-operator, "he delegates to nobody the effort of operating on his behalf" (Gazette de Charleroi, 1.7.1901). If, as reported, Melchers left for Brussels in 1906, he must have returned soon afterwards, since his studio was listed continuously in the Monod directory. Portrait in oil of Jules Destrée (1862 - 1936), arts and sciences minister, displayed at the Charleroi exhibition of 1911, of which he was president of the organising committee.
Locations
1874 * - 1880 Charleroi, Rue de la Montagne, 3
1880 * - 1887 Charleroi, Place Verte, 20
1888 - 1914 Charleroi, Rue de Montigny, 6
1880 * - 1887 Charleroi, Place Verte, 20
1888 - 1914 Charleroi, Rue de Montigny, 6
Exhibitions
Brussels, 1880; Brussels, 1888; Charleroi, 1911 (jury member).
Genres / subject matter
Techniques
Bibliography/Webography
Context
Affiliations
Affiliated entity
Association belge de Photographie
Type of affiliation
Member of
Dates of affiliation
1880 - 1897
Description of relationship
Management
Record source
DIRECTORY_1997#3016
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation/revision
SFJ revised 19.9.2017 & 7.11.2018; SFJ revised 23.4.2020 & 13.12.2020 based on information supplied by M. Demaeght; SFJ revised 8.8.2023; MD revised 14.4.2020, 14.11.2022 & 22.2.2024