Martin (Johann Martin) Stoss

History

Martin (Johann Martin) STOSS (1778-1838) was born in Füssen in 1778 and died in Vienna, Austria, in 1838. He was the son of Magnus Stephan Stoss. Initially, he established himself in Lerchenfeld but was compelled to leave in 1809 due to the Napoleonic army, as noted by John Dilworth. He subsequently relocated to Vienna, where he obtained his citizenship in 1811. According to John Dilworth, he was soon acknowledged as the best maker and connoisseur in the city and was appointed luthier to the court. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he took his oath of citizenship on July 25, 1811, and was considered one of Vienna's finest violin makers from the early 19th century, also serving as court luthier and a sworn appraiser. He was married to Anna Dangl from Vienna, who was born in 1781 and died in 1854. After his death, his business was continued by his widow under the management of his apprentice, Anton Hofmann, with the shop becoming known as Stoss und Hofmann.

Craft

• Models: Martin Stoss produced wonderful work on classical Cremonese models, particularly the Stradivari model, as noted by John Dilworth, George Hart, and Henri Poidras.
• Instruments: His cellos were greatly sought after, and he also made viols and plucked instruments, according to John Dilworth.
• Workmanship: George Hart described his work as having a flat model and good workmanship.
• Materials: John Dilworth highlights his use of fine materials.
• Varnish: Sources contain conflicting information about his varnish. John Dilworth notes that his early work maintained a 'disappointing Tyrolean dark brown varnish' but that in his Viennese period, he developed a 'fine rich golden-yellow recipe, later darkened to a deeper clear red-brown'. In contrast, George Hart described his varnish as 'indifferent', Willibald Leo Lütgendorff stated he was 'kein Künstler im Lackiren' (not an artist in varnishing), and Henri Poidras characterized it as 'devoid of qualities'.
• Innovation: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that he concerned himself extensively with experiments to alter the soundpost, aiming to invent a soundpost that could be lengthened or shortened internally to compensate for tension.

Influence

• Family Tradition: He was the son of Magnus Stephan Stoss.
• Mentorship: His apprentice, Anton Hofmann, managed the business after Stoss's death.

Legacy

• Reputation: Martin Stoss was acknowledged as the best maker and connoisseur in Vienna and is considered one of the city's finest violin makers from the early 19th century.
• Official Appointments: He was appointed luthier to the court (Hof- Geigenmacher) and served as a sworn appraiser (beeideter Schatzmeister).
• Business Continuity: His business continued after his death under the management of his widow and apprentice, Anton Hofmann, operating as Stoss und Hofmann.

Further Information

• Addresses: In Vienna, he resided at St. Ulrich No. 4, then at No. 70 from 1826 to 1830, and previously at Breunerstrasse No. 1209.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include 'Martin Stoss / in der obern Breuner- / strasse no. 1209 / in Wein. 1817' and 'Martin Stoss / Kaiserlich Königlicher / Hof Geigen und Lautenmacher / in Wien 18..'.

Summary

Martin (Johann Martin) STOSS (1778-1838) was a prominent Austrian luthier, born in Füssen and active in Vienna. Displaced from Lerchenfeld by the Napoleonic army, he settled in Vienna, gaining citizenship in 1811. He quickly became recognized as a leading maker and connoisseur, eventually appointed luthier to the court and serving as a sworn appraiser. Stoss produced instruments, including highly sought-after cellos, based on classical Cremonese and Stradivari models, utilizing fine materials. His work on varnish is subject to conflicting accounts, with some sources praising his later Viennese period varnish while others describe it as indifferent. He also experimented with soundpost designs. After his death, his business continued under the management of his widow and apprentice, Anton Hofmann.