Johann Christian Hoffmann

History

Johann Christian Hoffmann (circa. 1710-1750) worked in Leipzig, Germany, and was the older son and student of Martin Hoffmann, as noted by George Hart and Cecie Stainer. He held the esteemed position of "Königl Poln. und Churfürstl. Sächs. Hoff-Instrumenten und Lautenmacher" (Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Instrument and Lute Maker) since approximately 1730, according to John Dilworth and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Lütgendorff describes him as one of the best German masters of his time, highly esteemed and famous beyond the borders of his homeland even during his lifetime. He was also well-acquainted with J. S. Bach and was valued as a repairer.

Craft

• Instruments Made: Hoffmann was an important maker of viols and plucked instruments, including lutes, theorbes, and mandolas. He also produced violins and violas, double basses, and several five-string viola pomposas, some of which are said to have been made for J. S. Bach. Other instruments include a guitar-lute and a discant viola da gamba.
• Models: His violins and violas were often made on the Stainer model.
• Varnish: He used a fine golden-brown varnish, which Lütgendorff notes reminds one of the Amati school.
• Workmanship: Cecie Stainer describes him as an "excellent workman." Lütgendorff further elaborates that he understood how to equip his instruments as well as make them well, producing excellent stringed instruments with noble tone and good wood. Regarding his lutes, Baron, as quoted by Lütgendorff, states that Hoffmann achieved "many proportional beauties" and a "good and pure tone."
• Lute Construction: Baron also observed that Hoffmann surpassed his father in the structure of the lute neck, making them "right for everyone's hand," whereas his father's were often "a little too thick." He was also skilled in dividing and laying out the choirs and strings at their proper distance, making his lutes very easy to handle.

Influence

• Mentorship: He was the older son and student of Martin Hoffmann.
• Family: His younger brother also worked in Leipzig around the same time, making good violins and bass-viols.

Legacy

• Museum Collections: Examples of his five-string viola pomposas are held in the Leipzig Museum. A viola pomposa, invented by Bach, is also in Paul de Wit's musikhistorisches Museum in Leipzig. The Kgl. Sammlung a. M. (Royal Collection in Berlin) holds two theorbes and a mandola (No. 717, 718, and 733). A guitar-lute is found at Scheurleer, and a discant viola da gamba at de Wit.
• Archival Records: A repair label from him, dated 1741, is found in Th. Körner's lute in the Körnermuseum in Dresden.

Further Information

• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Johann Christian Hoffmann / Königl Poln. und Churfürstl. Sächs./ Hoff-Instrumenten und Lautenmacher / 1730" and "Joh: Christian Hoffmann / Königl Polnischer u Churfürstl. / Sächs Hof-instrumenten und / Lautenmacher. Leipzig, 1729."
• Working Location: He worked in Leipzig, Germany.

Summary

Johann Christian Hoffmann (circa. 1710-1750) was a highly esteemed German luthier from Leipzig, the older son and student of Martin Hoffmann. He served as the Royal Polish and Electoral Saxon Court Instrument and Lute Maker from around 1730. Renowned for his excellent craftsmanship, he produced a wide range of instruments including viols, lutes, violins (often on the Stainer model), violas, double basses, and five-string viola pomposas, some made for his acquaintance J. S. Bach. His instruments were noted for their noble tone, fine golden-brown varnish, and superior construction, particularly his lutes which were celebrated for their playability and proportional beauty.