Hendrick (I) Willems

History

Hendrick (I) Willems (circa. 1650-1700) worked in Ghent, Belgium, and is presumed to be the son of Jooris Willems.

His biographical information includes being employed to repair the bass in St. Bavon's Cathedral, Ghent, in 1670, and again in 1698 for the bass used in the rood-loft of the same cathedral.

Craft

• Known Instruments: Hendrick (I) Willems is known for producing three large violas, a cello, a pochette, a bass viol, an alto of large pattern, and a small pocket violin.
• Construction Method: Instruments were made with the ribs set into grooves cut into the inner edges of the back, without the use of a mould.
• Aesthetic Characteristics: His instruments often feature a high arching, very long squared-off corners, and a neck ending in a lion's head, though the lion's head on some instruments, such as a viola from 1651, may be a later addition. The soundholes are described as elegantly following an early Amati pattern, or as rather straight and stiff, similar to the Brescian model or those found in a Stainer instrument. The model is characterized by high arching, sharply prominent corners, and stiff, steep f-holes. A pochette from 1679 features a ribbed back and a carved lion's head.
• Varnish: The varnish is noted for its rich red-brown colour with a dry Venetian texture, or as a very high-quality golden-yellow colour. Sources also describe the varnish as generally too dry or brittle.
• Wood Selection: He consistently used remarkably fine wood for the belly of his instruments. For the back and sides, especially in basses, he frequently utilized walnut, lime-tree, or plane-tree wood. For the back, which is often flat in his violas, he used various woods without strict selection, including maple, beech, lime, or walnut.
• Workmanship: The outline and beautiful finish of his work could almost be mistaken for Italian craftsmanship, and his work is generally described as very clean.

Influence

• Stylistic Influences: Hendrick (I) Willems's model and soundholes show similarities to both the Stainer school and the Brescian school of violin making.

Legacy

• Museum Collections: A viola dated 1651, featuring a lion's head, is preserved in the Brussels Musical Instrument Museum. The collection also includes a cello with a lime wood back, walnut ribs, and neck. A pentagonal pochette from 1679, originally from the Snoeck collection, is located in Berlin.

Further Information

• Working Period and Location: Hendrick (I) Willems worked in Ghent, Belgium, approximately between 1650 and 1700.
• Labels: Known labels include "Hendrick Willems tot Ghendt, 1651" and "Hendrick Willems tot Ghendt, 1679".

Summary

Hendrick (I) Willems was a notable luthier active in Ghent, Belgium, from approximately 1650 to 1700, presumed to be the son of Jooris Willems. He was known for crafting a variety of instruments, including violas, cellos, and pochettes, often characterized by high arching, long squared-off corners, and sometimes a lion's head scroll. His construction method involved setting ribs into grooves without a mould, and he utilized fine woods, frequently employing walnut, lime-tree, or plane-tree for backs and sides. Willems's work, which shows influences from both the Stainer and Brescian schools, is recognized for its clean finish and distinctive aesthetic, with examples preserved in prominent museum collections.