Prague School
Karel Boromejsky Dvorak
Prague, 1856–1909
Karel Boromejsky Dvorak (1856-1909) was a Czech violin maker, son and pupil of Jan Baptista Dvorak. He undertook extensive training in Vienna, Strasbourg, and Paris with notable makers such as Silvestre and Gand & Bernardel before establishing his own workshop in Prague. Known for his excellent craftsmanship, he copied Stradivari and Guarneri models, employing fine materials, superb finish, and a distinctive deep red-brown varnish. He was also a respected connoisseur, a collector of old instruments, and received numerous awards.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.8 cm Prague, 1887 | March 2011 | £6,000 |
| Violin | 1904 | November 2001 | £3,450 |
| Violin | 1899 | May 2001 | £3,217 |
| Violin | 1908 | November 1997 | £1,955 |
| Violin | 1890 | March 1991 | £3,960 |
| Violin | 1908 | November 1983 | £990 |
Maker Overview
Life
Karel Boromejsky Dvorak (1856-1909) was born in 1856 and died in 1909 in Prague, Czech Republic. He was the son and pupil of Jan Baptista Dvorak, undergoing his apprenticeship with his father from 1872 to 1876. To further his education, he traveled to Vienna, working with Thorn. Zach and Dav. Bittner, then to Strasbourg with Sütterlin, and subsequently to Paris, where he worked for Hip. Chrétien-Silvestre and later Gand & Bernardel. After his extensive training, he returned to his father's home, where he had to substitute for his father during a prolonged illness, before establishing his own workshop in Prague.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- He was an excellent craftsman, producing good violins.
- Models
- He was a copyist of Stradivari and occasionally Guarneri.
- Materials & Finish
- He utilized very fine materials in a classical manner, achieving a superb finish and harmonious proportions that followed classical regulations.
- Varnish
- His instruments featured a fine textured deep red-brown varnish.
- Labeling
- He signed internally on the back, close to the upper block. His printed label read: "Carolus Bor:Dvorák / fecit Prague Anno 18.."
- Carolus Bor:Dvorák
fecit Prague Anno 18..John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: He was the pupil of his father, Jan Baptista Dvorak, from 1872 to 1876.
- Mentorship: He received further training from Thorn. Zach and Dav. Bittner in Vienna, Sütterlin in Strasbourg, and Hip. Chrétien-Silvestre and Gand & Bernardel in Paris.
- Recognition: He received many medals and awards.
- Expertise: He was a leading expert and connoisseur in his own country.
- Collecting: He was an eager collector of old instruments, which he successfully discovered during his extensive travels.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DVORÁK, Karel Boromejsky Born 1856, died 1909 Prague Czech Republic. Son and pupil of Jan Baptista Dvorák, above. Worked in Vienna, Strasbourg, and for Silvestre in Paris before settling in Prague. Excellent craftsman. Copyist of Stradivari and occasionally Guarneri, using very fine materials in classical manner. Superb finish and harmonious proportion following classical regulations. Fine textured deep red-brown varnish. Leading expert and connoisseur of his own country. Signed internally on the back, close to the upper block. Printed label: Carolus Bor:Dvorák / fecit Prague Anno 18.. [Pilar & Stramek]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler seines Vaters Joh. B. Dv., bei dem er von 1872—1876 in der Lehre
war. Um sich weiter auszubilden, ging er zunächst zu Thorn. Zach und Dav.
Bittner nach Wien, zu Sütterlin nach Strassburg, von da nach Paris zu Hip.
Chrétien-Silvestre und zuletzt zu Gand & Bernardel. Trefflich geschult kehrte
er ins Vaterhaus zurück, wo er den Vater in dessen langwieriger Krankheit
vertreten musste. Hierauf eröffnete er seine eigene Werkstatt und baut gute
Geigen nach Stradivari und Guarneri. Gleichzeitig ist er ein eifriger
Sammler alter Instrumente, die er mit Glück auf seinen grösseren Reisen zu
entdecken weiss. Seine Arbeit erinnert an die moderne französische Schule,
und er erhielt auch bereits viele Medaillen und Auszeichnungen.
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Working in Prague at the same time
Adolf Engelhardt worked 1860
Alois Bittner 1880–1950
August Victor Molzer 1880–1967
Bohuslav Lantner 1862–1918
Eduard Emmanuel Homolka b. 1860
Eduard Ferdinand Homolka 1886–1919
Ferdinand August Vincenz Homolka 1828–1890
Ferdinand Martin Lantner 1833–1906