Johann Conrad (II) Ergele

1750–1821

Johann Conrad (II) Ergele (1750-1821) was a German luthier from Freibourg-im-Breisgau, the son and pupil of Johann Conrad Ergele (I). After a period of travel and personal hardship documented in his house book, he established himself in Freiburg in 1774, marrying Maria Anna Knüpffer in 1775. His instruments are noted for their fine workmanship and are commonly found in Germany.

Taught by Johann Conrad Ergele

Family Son of Johann Conrad Ergele

Maker Overview

Life

Johann Conrad (II) Ergele (1750-1821) was born in 1750 and died in 1821 in Freibourg-im-Breisgau, Germany. He was the son and pupil of Johann Conrad Ergele (I)., he went abroad in 1766 and returned home in 1772, where he found a stepmother. He documented his difficult situation in a preserved house book, noting that his stepmother cut up his shirts from abroad for her children's diapers and carried away his earnings. Tired of this, he went to Rheinfelden in 1774, borrowed 50 florins from his eldest sister, and moved to Freiburg on April 27. In Freiburg, he rented a dwelling in the Pfaffengasse, put out a sign, and within 11 months, he had earned 200 florins, prompting him to become a citizen, which he achieved by sacrificing almost all his savings. In 1775, he married Maria Anna Knüpffer, the daughter of a butcher, and received a dowry of 250 florins. His records conclude with the words: "Gott sey gedankt, niemahls keine Noth gelitten" (Thank God, never suffered any hardship).

Characteristics

Workmanship: John Dilworth notes his "Fine workmanship."
Availability: While Henley described his work as "Scarce," Vannes more credibly stated that his work is commonly found in Germany. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also notes that his violins are "recht gut und kommen noch häufig vor" (quite good and still frequently found).
Label: An example label reads: "Joh. Conrad Ergele / Lauten und Geigenmacher / fecit Friburgi Brisgoviae 1806."

Recorded labels

Joh. Conrad Ergele
Lauten und Geigenmacher
fecit Friburgi Brisgoviae 1806John Dilworth

Influence and legacy

Mentorship: He was the pupil of his father, Johann Conrad Ergele (I).
Family: His children included: Joh. Nep., born May 5, 1777; Maria Magd., born July 14, 1778, and died in 1778; Joh. Conrad, born July 1, 1779, and died March 12, 1791; Franz Josefus, born February 28, 1782; and Ferdinand, born February 3, 1784.

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Biographies

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

John Dilworth+

ERGELE, Johann Conrad (II) Born 1750, died 1821 Freibourg-im-Breisgau Germany. Son and pupil of Johann Conrad Ergele (I), above. ‘Scarce’ according to Henley, but Vannes more credibly describes his work as commonly found in Germany. Fine workmanship. Joh. Conrad Ergele / Lauten und Geigenmacher / fecit Friburgi Brisgoviae 1806

Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+

Schüler seines Vaters, ging 1766 in die Fremde und kam 1772 wieder heim,
wo er eine Stiefmutter vorfand. Er erzählt in einem erhaltenen Hausbuche die
traurige Lage, in die er dadurch kam: »Meine Stiefmutter zerschnitt mir meine
Hemmeter, die ich aus der Frembd gebracht habe zu Windeln für ihre Kinder;
ich hatte Arbeit und genug zu verdienen, aber es half nichts, ja meine Stiefmutter
trug die Früchte unter der Predig an den Sonntagen aus dem Hauss,
kurz ich war es müde, dies langer anzusehen. Anno 1774 ging ich nach
Rheinfelden, erzählte es meiner Schwester (die aelteste 1. Ehe), lieh von ihr
50 fl. und ging also den 27. April nach Freiburg.«Dort miethete er in der
Pfaffengasse eine Wohnung, hing ein Schild aus und hatte sich in 11 Monaten
bereits 200 fl. »erhaust«, so dass es ihm in den Sinn kam, Bürger zu werden,
was ihm mit dem Opfer fast aller seiner Ersparnisse endlich auch gelang. 1775
verheirathete er sich mit der Metzgerstochter Maria Anna Knüpffer und erhielt
250 fl. Mitgift. Seine Aufzeichnungen schliesst or mit den Worten: »Gott sey
gedankt, niemahls keine Noth gelitten.« Seine Geigen sind recht gut und kommen
noch häufig vor. Seine Kinder waren: 1) Joh. Nep., geb. 5. Mai 1777; 2) Maria
Magd., geboren 14. Juli † 1778; 3) Joh. Conrad, geboren 1. Juli 1779, †12.März 1791;4) Franz Josefus, geb. 28. Febr. 1782; 5) Ferdinand, geb. 3. Febr. 1784.