Eduard Emmanuel Homolka

History

Eduard Emmanuel Homolka (1860-) learned from 1874 to 1879 from his father F. A. H. and also received a thorough musical education from Franz Ondčíček. After two years of military service, he worked as an assistant to his father from 1881 to 1886. In 1886, he traveled abroad. Upon his return, he again worked for his father from 1889 to 1890, and immediately after his father's death on May 1, 1891, he took over his workshop. He became the violin maker for the Royal Bohemian National Theatre and a sworn appraiser. Eduard Emmanuel Homolka conducted valuable research into the history of violin making in Bohemia and published his findings repeatedly. For a string quartet, which his father began and he completed, he received the highest distinction at the General State and Jubilee Exhibition.

Craft

• Models: He worked after Stradivari, Guarneri, Nic. and Hier. Amati.
• Varnish: He used spirit varnish and occasionally oil varnish, both excellently applied.
• Skills: He was also a skilled repairer.
• Workmanship: John Dilworth notes his very fine work on classical Italian models.

Influence

• Training: He was the son and pupil of Ferdinand August Homolka, from whom he learned his craft from 1874 to 1879.
• Musical Education: He received a thorough musical education from Franz Ondčíček.
• Pupils: His son, Eduard Ferdinand (born February 18, 1886), also dedicated himself to violin making and was his pupil.

Legacy

• Awards: He received the highest distinction at the General State and Jubilee Exhibition for a string quartet that his father had started and he completed.
• Official Appointments: He served as the violin maker for the Royal Bohemian National Theatre and was a sworn appraiser.
• Research: He was a thorough connoisseur who undertook valuable research into the history of violin making in Bohemia and published his results.

Further Information

• Label: His labels include "Ed. Eman. Homolka / Houslar / i Praze. / 1882."
• Workshop Location: He took over his father's workshop in Prague.

Summary

Eduard Emmanuel Homolka, born in Prague in 1860, was a distinguished Bohemian violin maker, son and pupil of Ferdinand August Homolka. He received musical training from Franz Ondčíček and later took over his father's workshop in 1891. Homolka was known for his very fine work on classical Italian models, utilizing both spirit and oil varnishes. He served as the violin maker for the Royal Bohemian National Theatre and was a sworn appraiser, also contributing significantly to the historical research of violin making in Bohemia.