Francois (Franz Placidus) Fent

History

Francois (Franz Placidus) Fent (1733-1796) was born in Füssen, Germany, and died in Paris, France. He was a pupil of A. Gedler. Around 1760, he moved to Paris, working in Monmartre 'près de la rue du Mail' or 'cul-de-sac St Pierre'.

He altered his name to the French 'François Fent' but sometimes described himself as 'Deutser' or 'Deitscher' on his labels. His nephews, Johann and Bernhard Simon, joined him around 1783; Johann died in 1789, and Bernhard continued as his assistant until Fent's death in 1796, subsequently moving to London. Fent is known among French connoisseurs and was related to the Fendts who worked in London.

In the context of the pre-revolutionary Paris school, Fent was considered an extremely advanced and sophisticated maker, a precursor to makers like Pique and Lupot, and certainly a strong influence on them. He had the reputation of being one of the cleverest makers in Paris, carefully studying Italian instruments, particularly those of Ant. Stradivari. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was probably a master who immigrated from Tyrol. He always wrote his name as Fent, though it was often written as Fendt by others.

Craft

• Model: His work is on a Stradivari model, with dimensions exactly the same as those of a violin by Ant. Stradivari.
• Workmanship: His work is described as perhaps a little raw compared with later work, but authentic and vivid, and carefully finished.
• Soundholes: The soundholes are noted as being a little upright and widely set.
• Varnish: He used a rich, complex red-brown or amber varnish. Cecie Stainer describes it as a beautiful red-brown oil varnish that, with time, has become almost black. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes the magnificent, beautiful red-brown varnish that has darkened and now appears almost black.
• Wood: The wood used was excellent and magnificent.
• Tone: His instruments have a rich and very good tone.
• Condition: According to Cecie Stainer and Vidal, Fent's instruments are often heavily attacked by worms.
• Specific Instruments: An alto has been seen, as well as a violin dated 1774, which was repaired by Delannoy of Lille in 1828. A violin was found with its original neck and scroll still in place.

Influence

• Training: He was a pupil of A. Gedler.
• Mentorship & Influence: Fent was a precursor of Pique and Lupot, and certainly a strong influence on them.
• Study: He carefully studied Italian instruments, particularly those of Ant. Stradivari, and understood how to imitate them excellently.

Legacy

• Family Continuity: His nephew, Bernhard Simon, continued as his assistant until Fent's death in 1796 and subsequently moved to London, continuing the family's connection to instrument making.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Monmartre 'près de la rue du Mail' or 'cul-de-sac St Pierre', and was living at 'cul-de-sac St.-Pierre, rue Montmartre' between approximately 1763 and 1791.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include: 'fait par fent / Mtre luthier Montmartre / près de la rue du Mail à Paris /Deitscher', 'Fait par Fent / Maître Lutier, rue Montmartre / Cul-de-sac Saint Pietre, à Paris', and 'Fait par Fent, maitre luthier, rue Montmartre / cul-de-sac Saint-Pierre, a Paris'. He usually omitted the year on his labels.