Martin Kaiser

History

Martin Kaiser (1642-c.1695) was born in 1642 in Erkenbollingen, Füssen, Germany, and died around 1695 in Venice, Italy. According to John Dilworth, he resided in his uncle's home in Venice from 1653 and was recorded as a violin maker at his marriage in 1661. However, sources contain conflicting information regarding his working period. Cecie Stainer notes a German maker named Martin Kaiser working in Venice in 1609, and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions an arch-lute dated 1632. These dates precede Kaiser's birth year of 1642 as stated by Dilworth, suggesting either a different individual or discrepancies in historical records.

Craft

• Cello: A 7/8 sized cello, dated 1679 and housed in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels, exhibits fine workmanship on a well-regulated model with a medium arch. It is notable for a pierced and ornate rose in the upper table, fully developed, low-set, and outswinging soundholes, and a fine, delicate red-brown varnish.
• Violins: Two violins are recorded, one from 1685 in the collection of the Querini Stampella Foundation, Venice. Both violins feature an Amati form and refined workmanship, described as being very much in the style of his pupil M. Gofriller.
• Other Instruments: An arch-lute from 1609 is noted in the Paris Conservatoire Collection by Cecie Stainer. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions an arch-lute in the Paris Conservatoire Museum and a richly inlaid theorbe dated 1632 in the Kgl. Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente in Berlin (No. 716).
• Label: Instruments bear a manuscript label reading 'Martinus Kaiser Venetii / Anno 1685'.

Influence

• Family Connection: Martin Kaiser was the nephew of Matthias Kaiser.
• Mentorship: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests he might have been a pupil of Tieffenbrucker or Hieber.
• Pupil: His refined workmanship is noted to be very much in the style of his pupil M. Gofriller.

Legacy

• Museum Collections: Instruments by Martin Kaiser are preserved in significant collections, including a 7/8 sized cello in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels, and a violin in the Querini Stampella Foundation, Venice. An arch-lute is held in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, and a richly inlaid theorbe is part of the Kgl. Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente in Berlin. A violoncello with the alleged year 1679 is also in the Sammlung Correr in Venice.

Further Information

• Origin: Erkenbollingen, Füssen, Germany.
• Working Location: Venice, Italy.

Summary

Martin Kaiser was a German violin maker who settled in Venice, Italy. According to John Dilworth, he was born in 1642 in Erkenbollingen, Füssen, and died around 1695 in Venice, working there from 1653. However, other sources, including Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, mention instruments dated as early as 1609 and 1632, indicating a significant discrepancy in his documented working period. His craftsmanship is exemplified by a 7/8 sized cello from 1679, known for its well-regulated model, ornate rose, and delicate red-brown varnish, and violins from 1685, which exhibit an Amati form and refined workmanship. He was the nephew of Matthias Kaiser, and his work is noted to be in the style of his pupil M. Gofriller. His instruments are held in prominent collections such as the Musical Instruments Museum in Brussels and the Querini Stampella Foundation in Venice.