Franz Wilhelm Neumarker

History

Franz Wilhelm Neumarker (1848-1929) was born in 1848 in Schöneck and passed away in 1929 in Hanover, Germany. He was the son and pupil of Ernst Wilhelm Neumarker. After completing his apprenticeship, he worked in Glogau, Vienna, Milan, and Berlin before establishing his own workshop in Hanover in June 1875, located on Leinstrasse.

Craft

• Models: Franz Wilhelm Neumarker crafted violins based on classical Italian models. He also devised a personal viola pattern in 1882, which was patented in the same year. This viola model, as described by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, was not symmetrical in the lower part of the body to ensure ease of playability despite its size, with the lost volume at the bottom compensated by greater expansion at the top. John Dilworth notes that these specific viola patterns have not stood the test of time. Lütgendorff further states that this model achieved a tone very close to the so-called Ritter-Bratschen.
• Workmanship: His work was characterized by fine workmanship and materials, as noted by John Dilworth, and described as clean by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Varnish: He utilized a spirit varnish of rich consistency in appropriate shades, according to John Dilworth. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions his use of both spirit and oil varnish of good color.

Influence

• Mentorship: Franz Wilhelm Neumarker was a pupil of his father, Ernst Wilhelm Neumarker.

Legacy

• Succession: He was succeeded by his son, Willy Neumarker, who was born in 1883 and also became a violin maker.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Franz Wilhelm Neumarker's workshop was located on Leinstrasse in Hanover.
• Label: Instruments made by him bear the label "W. Neumärker / Geigenmacher / Hannover".
• Patents: His personal viola pattern was patented in 1882.

Summary

Franz Wilhelm Neumarker (1848-1929) was a German violin maker, son and pupil of Ernst Wilhelm Neumarker. He worked in several European cities before establishing his workshop in Hanover in 1875. Neumarker was known for crafting violins based on classical Italian models and for developing a patented personal viola pattern in 1882. His instruments featured fine workmanship and a distinctive spirit or spirit and oil varnish. He was succeeded in his craft by his son, Willy Neumarker.