Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt

History

Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt (1801-1852) was born in 1801 in London, UK, according to John Dilworth, though Cecie Stainer notes his birth year as 1800. He was the eldest son of Bernhard S. Fendt (I) and received his training from his father in John Betts' workshop, where he remained until approximately 1823, or until Betts' death in 1823, as stated by Cecie Stainer. From around 1831, he entered into a business partnership with Charles Farn, a violin dealer and former employee of his father's partner, Charles Vernon, at 72 Lombard Street. After Farn's death in 1832, Fendt joined George Purdy, a dancing and fencing teacher, forming the firm 'Purdy and Fendt'. This partnership commenced business in Finch Lane in September 1832, later moving to 3 Oxenden Street, Haymarket, and finally to 74 Dean Street from 1850. Cecie Stainer notes that in June 1843, they also opened a shop in Oxenden Street, Haymarket, and about 1850, these two shops were closed as they moved to 74 Dean Street, Soho. Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt contributed a quartet of instruments for the International Exhibition in London in 1851. He died on March 6, 1852, at 7, Smith Street, Brompton, from consumption, a fate also shared by his son, William, in the same year.

Craft

• Workmanship: Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt was considered fully equal to his father as a gifted and ingenious craftsman, according to John Dilworth. George Hart describes him as an excellent workman, though he notes that Fendt regrettably worked during a period when there was a "mania for obtaining supposed maturity by artificial means," which often destroyed the stamina of his instruments. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes that while he was extremely diligent and skilled, he was not always particularly careful, but could demonstrate his mastery when he chose.
• Models: His work covered a wide variety of models, generally focusing on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati, executed with admirable sensitivity to the virtues of the original instruments, as detailed by John Dilworth. He was one of the first makers to exploit the possibilities of the Guarneri del Gesù's style. Lütgendorff mentions his successful copies of the large Amati model. For violins, Cecie Stainer notes he made an extraordinary number, with hundreds alone on the Guarneri model.
• Double Basses: He was equally famed for his exuberant double basses, made on the Brescian model with flat backs and double purfling, according to John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer and George Hart specify that he made many very good double basses on the model of Gasparo da Salo.
• Varnish: His instruments were varnished with rich, pliant coatings of deep red-brown colours, as described by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer notes that the varnish on his violins was a bright red colour, while George Hart describes it as a glaring red colour of a hard nature. Both Stainer and Hart agree that the varnish on his double basses was superior to that on his violins. Lütgendorff mentions the varnish as "hellroth" (bright red).
• Output: He was a most assiduous worker, producing a great number of violins, tenors, violoncellos, and double basses. George Hart suggests his reputation would have been greater had he made fewer instruments and exercised more general care.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Bernard S. Fendt Junr./ London 1832" and "Bernard Fendt / London 1851."

Influence

• Training: Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt was trained by his father, Bernhard S. Fendt (I), in the workshop of John Betts.

Legacy

• International Exhibition 1851: He made an excellent quartet of instruments (violin, viola, violoncello, and double-bass) for the London Exhibition in 1851. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the prize awarded at this exhibition. According to George Hart, his quartet was certainly the best contemporary instruments exhibited, but he failed to obtain the prize medal. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that in his last year of life, he received the first prize for a wonderful quartet after Guarneri at the London Exhibition of 1851.
• Family: He died of consumption in 1852, as did his son William, in the same year.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked at 72 Lombard Street, then at 20 Finch Lane, later at 3 Oxenden Street, Haymarket, and finally at 74 Dean Street from 1850.
• Death Location: He died at 7, Smith Street, Brompton.

Summary

Bernhard Simon (II) Fendt (1801-1852) was a highly skilled English luthier, the eldest son and pupil of Bernhard S. Fendt (I). Trained in John Betts' workshop, he later partnered with Charles Farn and then George Purdy, operating under the name 'Purdy and Fendt' at various London addresses including Finch Lane, Oxenden Street, and Dean Street. Fendt was renowned for his ingenious craftsmanship and sensitivity to original models, producing a wide variety of instruments, particularly violins on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models, and exuberant double basses on the Brescian or Gasparo da Salo form. His varnish was noted for its rich, deep red-brown hues, though descriptions vary. He contributed a quartet of instruments to the 1851 International Exhibition in London, though sources conflict on whether he received a prize. He died in 1852 from consumption.