Eugen Gartner

History

Eugen Gärtner (1864-1944) was born in 1864 and died in 1944 in Stuttgart, Germany. He established his own workshop in Stuttgart in March 1891, quickly gaining a clientele. In 1896, he was appointed maker and repairer to the King of Württemberg, and later became a Hoflieferant (court supplier) to the Fürstl: Hohenzoll. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, Gärtner was a skilled artist who also understood how to manage his business commercially.

Craft

• Output: Eugen Gärtner is credited with producing over 500 violins, violas, and cellos.
• Workmanship and Materials: He was known for fine workmanship, using beautiful, old wood and good materials.
• Varnish: Gärtner predominantly applied oil varnish (Öllack).
• Training: He received special training in the construction of concert violins during his time with Schünemann in Schwerin.
• Branding and Labels: His instruments were branded with 'E. G.' and featured printed labels such as "Eugen Gärtner / Atelier für Geigenbau / Stuttgart, fec. 1895" and "Eugen Gärtner / Atellerfur Kunstgeigenbau / Hgl: Württby Hof-Geigenbauer / Fürstl: Hohenzoll Hoflieferant / fecit 1900. Stuttgart."

Influence

• Apprenticeship: At the age of 15, Eugen Gärtner began an apprenticeship with A. Sprenger in Stuttgart, where he worked from 1879 to 1881.
• Assistantships: He served as an assistant to R. E. Simoutre in Basel from 1886 to 1888. John Dilworth also notes his pupilage with Simoutre in Paris, indicating a potential discrepancy in the reported location of Simoutre's workshop during Gärtner's time there. Following his time with Simoutre, Gärtner worked for Schünemann in Schwerin for three years.

Legacy

• Awards: Eugen Gärtner was awarded various exhibition medals and diplomas for his work.
• Royal Appointments: He was appointed maker and repairer to the King of Württemberg and later became a Hoflieferant to the Fürstl: Hohenzoll.

Further Information

• Branding: Instruments made by Eugen Gärtner were branded with the mark 'E. G.'.
• Labels: Examples of his printed labels include "Eugen Gärtner / Atelier für Geigenbau / Stuttgart, fec. 1895" and "Eugen Gärtner / Atellerfur Kunstgeigenbau / Hgl: Württby Hof-Geigenbauer / Fürstl: Hohenzoll Hoflieferant / fecit 1900. Stuttgart."

Summary

Eugen Gärtner (1864-1944) was a German luthier who established his workshop in Stuttgart in 1891. He was a pupil of A. Sprenger in Stuttgart and R. E. Simoutre in Basel (with some sources also mentioning Paris), and also worked with Schünemann in Schwerin. Gärtner was appointed maker and repairer to the King of Württemberg and was known for his fine workmanship, use of old wood, and application of oil varnish. He produced over 500 instruments and received several exhibition medals and diplomas.