Johannes Theodorus Cuypers

History

Johannes Theodorus Cuypers (1724-1808) was born in 1724 in Dornick, near Emmerich, Germany, and died in 1808 in The Hague, Netherlands. His earliest documented work dates from The Hague in 1750, as noted by John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. Cuypers was a very prolific maker and has been referred to as the "Dutch Stradivari", although his style, according to Dilworth, was distinctively French in origin, comparable with Guersan. His cellos, in particular, show the influence of Stainer. By 1780, his workmanship became slightly heavier, featuring lower, more Stradivarian arching, a change possibly attributable to the presence of his sons in the workshop. Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, notes that many of his instruments are available and are "excellently made". However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, states that his work was "less good and mostly heavy in form and too strong in wood" compared to his presumed teacher, Jan C. Lütgendorff also mentions that Cuypers imitated Amati. Dilworth describes his slightly idiosyncratic work, typified by a strongly oval-shaped scroll, as setting the tone for much Netherlands lutherie, characterized by an independent mind, aesthetic, and good honest quality.

Craft

• Wood: Johannes Theodorus Cuypers consistently used locally sourced wood, often featuring one-piece tops, according to John Dilworth.
• Varnish: Dilworth describes his varnish as generally a pale golden yellow and slightly opaque. Cecie Stainer, however, characterizes the yellow varnish as "ugly and of thick quality". Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes that the lacquer was "too thick aufgetragen" (applied).
• Workmanship: By 1780, his workmanship became slightly heavier, with lower, more Stradivarian arching. Lütgendorff describes his work as "weniger gut und meist schwerfällig in der Form und zu stark im Holz" (less good and mostly heavy in form and too strong in wood).
• Scroll: A consistent and typifying feature of his work is the strongly oval-shaped scroll.
• Models: He imitated Amati, as noted by Lütgendorff.
• Instruments: Lütgendorff mentions a violin from 1798 held by Scheurleer and a nine-string guitar in the Museum zu Brüssel, No. 259.

Influence

• Mentorship: His early instruction was possibly provided by Jean Joseph Wattier. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests he was a nephew and possibly also a pupil of "the old Jan C."
• Stylistic Influences: His style was distinctively French in origin, comparable with Guersan. His cellos, in particular, show the influence of Stainer. He also imitated Amati.

Legacy

• Reputation: Johannes Theodorus Cuypers has been called the "Dutch Stradivari".
• Impact: His slightly idiosyncratic work, characterized by the strongly oval-shaped scroll, set the tone for much Netherlands lutherie, embodying an independent mind, aesthetic, and good honest quality.
• Family Involvement: By 1780, the presence of his sons in the workshop may have contributed to a change in his workmanship, which became slightly heavier with lower, more Stradivarian arching.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He worked in The Hague, Netherlands.
• Labels: Some early labels were handwritten. On later work, his age was also given as 'aetatis suae 78'. An example label reads "Johannes Cuypers / Fecit 's Hage, Ao. 1769".
• Alternative Spelling: He also wrote his name as "Koeuppers".