Bela Szepessy

History

Bela Szepessy (1856-1925) was born in Budapest, Hungary, in 1856 and died in Tyrol in 1925. He was apprenticed to A. Engleder and S. Nemessányi from 1868 to 1874. Following his apprenticeship, he worked for T. Zach in Vienna from 1874 to 1879. He was possibly in Munich from 1879 to 1881 before coming to London via Brussels in 1881, where he opened his own workshop. His earliest known work dates from 1874, and his most productive period was spent in London from 1882 to 1916 and retired to Tyrol in 1921 due to failing health.

Craft

• Craftsmanship: He exhibited extremely fine craftsmanship on accurately observed classical models, producing instruments that Henri Poidras noted were "a little massive but well effected" and possessed "real sound qualities."
• Varnish: Szepessy used aged and shaded varnish in appropriate colors, characterized by great depth and richness. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff further details that he employed a self-made, soft oil varnish, created by mixing resin, a golden-yellow color, and a transparent red.
• Models: He primarily worked after the models of the Cremonese masters, mainly Stradivari, sometimes Guarneri, and only in isolated cases after Niccolò Amati.
• Construction Details: His distinctive interior work included dark hardwood linings inserted into both sides of the corner blocks with a shallow point. He also strengthened the top at the upper and lower blocks.
• Instrument Types: He made violas on large models with high ribs. By 1900, he had produced 160 violins, 6 violas, and 3 violoncellos, though John Dilworth notes that "No cellos presently known."
• Labeling: His instruments were signed internally, and labels were numbered up to 218 by 1916. An example label reads "Szeppessy Béla Sz. B. / London 1885 no.14."

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Bela Szepessy was apprenticed to A. Engleder and Samuel Nemessányi from 1868 to 1874.

Legacy

• Recognition: Henri Poidras states that his many instruments brought him several prizes at Exhibitions. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff reports that Szepessy declined numerous offers of awards and medals.
• Reputation: Artists generally agreed that his instruments possessed real sound qualities. He achieved good average prices for his violins.
• Philosophy: Despite his high esteem for the old masters, whom he studied in detail, Szepessy was convinced that a new violin made of good and healthy wood could equal an old one in tone and should be preferred.

Further Information

• Work Locations: After his apprenticeship, he worked for T. Zach in Vienna from 1874 to 1879. He was possibly in Munich from 1879 to 1881 before establishing his own workshop in London in 1881.
• Production Numbers: By 1900, he had produced 160 violins, 6 violas, and 3 violoncellos. His labels were numbered up to 218 by 1916.

Summary

Bela Szepessy (1856-1925) was a Hungarian luthier known for his fine craftsmanship and instruments made after classical Cremonese models. He apprenticed with A. Engleder and S. Nemessányi before working in Vienna and Munich, eventually establishing his own workshop in London in 1881, where he was most productive. His work featured distinctive interior details, rich oil varnish, and instruments that garnered praise for their sound qualities, though sources conflict on whether he accepted exhibition prizes.