Michael Andreas Partl

History

Michael Andreas Partl (1704-1788) was born in 1704 and died in 1788, as stated by John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, he was the son and pupil of Andre Nikolaus P., though Dilworth identifies his father as Andreas Partl. Michael Andreas Partl resided in the Wübmer Viertel, like his father, and took the citizen's oath on May 29, 1728. Lütgendorff notes that he was a very diligent craftsman and among the better Viennese lutenists, though he did not achieve prosperity. He appeared in tax records from 1749 to 1775, but from 1776 to 1779, it was recorded that he was "Bettlarm und wird von seinem Weib unterhalten" (poverty-stricken and supported by his wife). His son, Josef, took over the workshop in 1779.

Craft

• Workmanship: John Dilworth describes Michael Andreas Partl as the best maker of his family, noting his instruments featured a medium high arch, good materials, and a rich golden-yellow varnish. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, while acknowledging his skill, observed that his later works were often quite ordinary, yet always showed a skilled hand.
• Instruments: He made lutes and viols, according to Dilworth. Lütgendorff mentions several surviving works, including an undated viola in the Schottenstift in Vienna, a viola with a carved female head on the pegbox from 1746 in Leipzig (Sammlung De Wit), and a similar viola from 1764 in the Museum of the Conservatorium in Brussels (No. 224). A beautiful viola d'amore from 1732, featuring openwork carving on the pegbox and a blindfolded Cupid's head, is part of the Royal Collection of Old Musical Instruments in Berlin (No. 866). A lute from 1745 is housed in the Musikhistorisches Museum in Stockholm.

Influence

• Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information about his father's name; John Dilworth states he was the son and pupil of Andreas Partl, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies him as the son and pupil of Andre Nikolaus P.

Legacy

• Continuity: His son, Josef, assumed control of Michael Andreas Partl's workshop in 1779.
• Collections: Instruments by Michael Andreas Partl are preserved in significant collections, including the Schottenstift in Vienna, the Sammlung De Wit in Leipzig, the Museum of the Conservatorium in Brussels, the Royal Collection of Old Musical Instruments in Berlin, and the Musikhistorisches Museum in Stockholm.

Further Information

• Label: A typical label reads "Michael Andreas Partl / fecit Viennae 1746".
• Residence: He lived in the Wübmer Viertel in Vienna.
• Civic Status: He took the citizen's oath on May 29, 1728.
• Financial Status: Tax records indicate his presence from 1749 to 1775, but from 1776 to 1779, he was noted as being impoverished and supported by his wife.

Summary

Michael Andreas Partl (1704-1788) was a diligent Viennese lutenist and viol maker, described by John Dilworth as the best maker of his family. He was the son and pupil of either Andreas Partl or Andre Nikolaus P., depending on the source. Despite his skill, he did not achieve wealth, with records indicating poverty in his later years before his son Josef took over the workshop in 1779. His instruments, characterized by good materials and rich varnish, include violas and lutes, many of which are preserved in prominent European collections.