Johann Michael Willer

History

Johann Michael Willer (1753-1826) was born in Vils, Austria, in 1753 and later died in Prague, Czech Republic, in 1826. He was granted citizenship in Prague in 1780. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was the son of Sebastian W. and Maria Anna, née Wörle. On May 2, 1780, he became a citizen of Prague's Old Town and married Eva Stokanek, with whom he had three sons and two daughters. He served as the head of the luthiers' guild in 1825 and was the Vorsteher der Geigenmacher-Zunft from 1825 to 1826.

Craft

• Stylistic Evolution: Willer successfully evolved from the Stainer-Tyrolean model, characteristic of his early work, to an elegant Amatisé Stradivari model. He also skillfully imitated Brescian masters.
• Workmanship: His work is characterized by fine, disciplined workmanship, featuring long, elegant corners. Even with the shift to the Stradivari model, he retained a slightly exaggerated edge flute to the arch.
• Varnish: Earlier instruments made on the Stainer model often feature a thinner, less attractive pale brown varnish. Later instruments, particularly those on the Stradivari model, are noted for a resinous, soft red-brown varnish. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that his violins were made with yellow spirit varnish or fine oil varnish, producing a very good tone.
• Unlabelled Instruments: John Dilworth notes that Henley states Willer supplied unlabelled instruments "in the white" to other makers and dealers for finishing. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions that there are inferior, simply white-polished violins bearing his name, which are certainly forgeries, as Willer was a conscientious and excellent master.

Influence

• Stylistic Influences: Willer's work shows a clear progression from the Stainer-Tyrolean model to the Amatisé Stradivari model, indicating a strong influence from both traditions. He also skillfully emulated the Brescian masters.

Legacy

• Guild Leadership: Johann Michael Willer was a prominent figure in the Prague lutherie community, serving as the head of the luthiers' guild in 1825 and as the Vorsteher der Geigenmacher-Zunft from 1825 to 1826.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, his workshop was located at Husová třída No. 227/I in 1781, then at Řetězová ulice No. 224 in 1786, at No. 222 from 1789 to 1792, and from 1805 onwards in the Golden Gasse No. 274.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Johann Michael Willer / Lauten und Geigenmacher / in Prag. 1783" and "Johann Michael Willer / Musikalischer Instrumentenmacher / in Prag 1806."

Summary

Johann Michael Willer (1753-1826) was a significant luthier in Prague, born in Vils, Austria. He became a citizen of Prague in 1780 and led the luthiers' guild from 1825 to 1826. His craftsmanship evolved from the Stainer-Tyrolean model to an elegant Amatisé Stradivari model, also incorporating Brescian influences. He was known for his fine workmanship, elegant corners, and a distinctive resinous red-brown varnish on his later instruments. Willer's workshop moved through several locations in Prague, and he used specific labels to mark his instruments, though unlabelled and forged pieces also exist.