Georg Ferdinand Wenger

History

Georg Ferdinand WENGER (c. 1680-1757) was born around 1680 in Vienna, Austria, and died in 1757 in Augsburg, Germany. He became active in Augsburg from 1701, the year he married the widow of the Augsburg lutenist Jakob Fichtl. While it is not ascertainable if he learned or worked in Vienna, the claim that he lived in Salzburg, as often asserted, appears entirely impossible, as no work from him dated from there has ever surfaced. He is considered one of the best masters of the Augsburg school. According to Cecie Stainer, he was a maker in Augsburg about 1750-60, using labels such as "Gregorius Ferdinand Wenger Lauten und Geigenmacher fecit Augustae, 1750". John Dilworth notes that labels with posthumous dates are known, presumably finished by assistants. Another label example provided by Dilworth is "Gregori Ferdinand Wenger / Lauten- und Geigen-macher, / fecit Augustae 1732".

Craft

• Model: His model recalls that of Stainer and Albani, yet it is original in its outlines and details. John Dilworth describes it as a full-arched Tyrolean model.
• Purfling and Edges: The inlays are set 3 ½ mm from the edge, and the edge is narrow.
• Arching and Hollowing: The hollowing is deep, and the arching is quite high.
• Soundholes: The soundholes are broadly cut.
• Scroll: The scroll is small and features an elongated pegbox, very much in the Albani manner. Frequently, carved angel or animal heads (such as lions or bears) are found instead of traditional scrolls.
• Wood: The wood is well-chosen, with the back usually cut on the slab.
• Varnish: The varnish varies from light red to dark brown. Henri Poidras notes it as light or dark red varnish. John Dilworth describes it as light gold to dark brown, fairly insubstantial but transparent.
• Dimensions: The dimensions were shared by Piegendorfer.
• Best Instruments: His violas and cellos are considered his best instruments in terms of tone.
• Other Instruments: He also made many lutes, theorbs, and zithers, in addition to violins, violas, and cellos.

Influence

• Stylistic Influences: His manner and model recall that of Stainer and Albani, with his scroll particularly noted as being in the Albani manner.
• School: He is considered one of the best masters of the Augsburg school.

Legacy

• Museum Holdings: Works by Georg Ferdinand Wenger are held in several notable institutions, including the Nationalmuseum in München, the Germanisches Museum in Nürnberg (which possesses a violin from 1754), and the Berlin Snoeck collection (which includes a zither from 1750).

Further Information

• Active Period and Location: He was active in Augsburg from 1701.
• Label Examples: Labels include "Gregorius Ferdinand Wenger Lauten und Geigenmacher fecit Augustae, 1750" and "Gregori Ferdinand Wenger / Lauten- und Geigen-macher, / fecit Augustae 1732".

Summary

Georg Ferdinand Wenger, born around 1680 in Vienna and deceased in 1757 in Augsburg, was a prominent luthier active in Augsburg from 1701, following his marriage to the widow of Jakob Fichtl. He is recognized as one of the finest masters of the Augsburg school, known for instruments that recall the models of Stainer and Albani, yet possess original outlines. His craftsmanship is characterized by a full-arched Tyrolean model, narrow edges, deep hollowing, broadly cut soundholes, and often features carved animal or human heads instead of traditional scrolls. Wenger utilized well-chosen wood, frequently cut on the slab for backs, and applied varnish ranging from light red to dark brown. While his violas and cellos are particularly esteemed for their tone, he also produced violins, lutes, theorbs, and zithers. His instruments are preserved in significant collections, including the Nationalmuseum in München and the Germanisches Museum in Nürnberg.