Joseph Joachim Edlinger

Prague, 1693–1696

Joseph Joachim Edlinger (1693-1748) was a significant Prague violin maker, son and pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III). He extensively traveled and worked in Italy, particularly Cremona, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Ferrara, and Venice, before returning to Prague around 1728 where he gained citizenship and high regard. His craftsmanship was noted for a flatter, more Italianate model with flat arching, and his violins and lutes were considered superior to his father's, despite his varnish often being described as brittle and prone to deterioration. Edlinger's instruments are highly valued, and he played a key role in highlighting the Prague school of violin making. He bequeathed his workshop and funds to Josef Michl, the son of his servant, with the intention that he continue the craft.

Worked Prague

Taught by Thomas Edlinger

Family Son of Thomas Edlinger

Maker Overview

Life

Joseph Joachim Edlinger (1693-1748) was the son and pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, or Thomas (II.) E. Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. After completing his apprenticeship, he traveled extensively throughout Italy, working primarily in Cremona, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Ferrara, and Venice, as detailed by Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers and Lütgendorff. He returned to Prague around 1728, where he subsequently worked. On February 2, 1728, he obtained citizenship in Malá Strana (Kleinseite) and achieved high regard, becoming a member of the council of six (Sechsmänneramt) and the St. Nicholas Brotherhood (Nikolaus-Bruderschaft). Joseph Joachim Edlinger was buried in the St. John's Church under the Rock (Johanneskirche unter dem Felsen) and was not married. His heirs were his sisters, Therese and Anna Perlocher. He bequeathed his workshop, including all instruments, wood, and tools, to Josef Michl, the four-year-old son of his servant, with the wish that Josef learn violin making, and also left him 200 Rhenish florins. Lütgendorff questions whether this Josef Michl might be identical to Josef Muschl.

Recorded labels

Josephus Joachim Edlinger
me fecit Pragae
Anno 1732John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III) or Thomas (II.) E.
Training: He perfected his art by living for many years in Italy, visiting cities such as Cremona, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Ferrara, and Venice.
Reputation: His instruments are highly valued.
Impact: He was instrumental in bringing attention to the Prague school of violin making.
Succession: He left his workshop and funds to Josef Michl, the son of his servant, with the explicit wish that he learn violin making.

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Biographies

The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:

John Dilworth+

EDLINGER, Joseph Joachim Born 1693, died 1696 Prague Czech Republic Son and pupil of Thomas Edlinger (III), below. Flatter, more Italianate, model than his father. Poor rather brittle varnish of thin texture. Josephus Joachim Edlinger / me fecit Pragae / Anno 1732 [Bletschacher]

George Hart+

Son of the above.

Cecie Stainer+

Son of Thomas Edlinger, d. May 30, 1748, at Prague. He made excellent lutes, and was a good workman ; for having first learnt his trade from his father, he lived for many years in Italy in order to perfect his art, and visited Cremona, Rome, Naples. Bologna, Ferrara. and Venice. His instruments are much valued.

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Sohn und Schüler von Thomas (II.) E. Bereiste nach beendigter Lehrzeit
fast ganz Italien und arbeitete hauptsächlich in Cremona, Rom, Neapel, Bologna,
Ferrara und Venedig. Gründlich ausgebildet kehrte er gegen 1728 nach Prag
zurück, wo er von nun an thätig war. Am 2. Februar 1728 erlangte er das
Bürgerrecht auf der Kleinseite und gelangte zu hohem Ansehen. Er war Mitglied
des Sechsmänneramts und der Nikolaus-Bruderschaft. Seine Geigen und
Lauten werden über die seines Vaters gestellt, und ihm verdankt es die Prager
Geigenbauschule zuerst, dass man auch auswärts auf sie aufmerksam wurde.
Er wurde in der Johanneskirche unter dem Felsen begraben. Er war nicht
verheirathet. Seine Erbinnen waren die Schwestern Therese und Anna Perlocher;
seine Werkstatt mit allen Vorräthen an Instrumenten, Holz und Werkzeugen
hinterliess er dem vierjährigen Sohne seiner Dienerin, Josef Michl, mit dem
Wunsche, dass dieser den Geigenbau erlernen möge, wozu er ihm noch ausserdem
200 fl. Rhein. vermachte. — Sollte dieser Jos. Michl nicht vielleicht identisch
sein mit Josef Muschl ? — Seine Arbeit ist gut; sein Modell knüpft an italienische
Vorbilder an; flache Wölbung. An vielen seinerGeigen ist der Lack jetzt gänzlich zerstört; auchsonst haben sie stark gelitten.