ticketsMember | Make a donation

Viola

1893
Not on view
August Gemünder was the eldest son of Johann Georg Gemünder, violin maker to Prince Hohenlohe in Inglefinger in the west part of Germany. August and his younger brother George worked for their father learning the trade of violin making, while their younger brother Albert apprenticed to an organ builder. After their father died in 1835, August inherited the workshop and moved it to Regensburg. His brother George worked in several German shops before moving to Paris where he worked for Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, the most celebrated violin maker in Europe at the time.

In 1846, August and Albert moved to the United States and established themselves as piano and organ builders in Springfield, Massachusetts. They eventually convinced George to join them in the United States. After his violins won a prize at the 1851 Crystal Palace Exhibition in London, George Gemünder had a tremendous reputation. The three brothers built violins together in a shop in New York City beginning in 1859.

However, disagreements caused the brothers to break up in 1864. Both George and August established independent violin shops, while Albert moved to Ohio and built organs. While George moved to Astoria, August continued to work in Manhattan. In 1890, the firm became August Gemünder & Sons. After his death in 1895, August’s sons August Martin and Rudolf continued the business.

This viola is part of a string quartet that was made by A. Gemunder & Sons for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition.

Technical description: One-piece pine top; two-piece bird's-eye maple back; ebony pegs and fluted tailpiece (not original).

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Viola
  • Artist: August Martin Gemünder
  • Date: 1893
  • Geography: New York, New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: Total L.: 67 cm (26-3/8 in.); L. of soundbox: 40.1 cm (15-3/4 in.); D. at edge at tailpiece: 4.9 cm (2 in.); Gr. W. of fingerboard: 5 cm (2 in.); Upper bout: 19.3 cm (7-5/8 in.); Center bout: 12.5 cm (5 in.); Lower bout: 24 cm (9-1/2 in.); L. of fingerboard: 29.4 cm (11-5/8 in.); Vibrating L. of strings: 36.9 cm (14-5/8 in.)
  • Classification: Chordophone-Lute-bowed-unfretted
  • Credit Line: Gift of A. Gemunder & Sons, 1945
  • Object Number: 45.71.3
  • Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Violoncello, August Martin Gemünder, Wood, string, American
Violoncello
August Martin Gemünder
1893
Violin, August Martin Gemünder, Pine, maple, ebony, American
Violin
August Martin Gemünder
1893
Violin, August Martin Gemünder, Wood, American
Violin
August Martin Gemünder
1893
Guitar, Christian Frederick Martin American, Wood, maple, spruce, abalone, ebony, metal, brass, ivory, American
Guitar
Christian Frederick Martin
George Wachsteter
ca. 1838
Square Piano, Robert Nunns British, Rosewood, mother-of-pearl, tortoiseshell, abalone, felt, metal, paint, gilding, American
Square Piano
Robert Nunns
John Clark
1853

Related Content

Perspectives

Articles, audio, and video from The Met's online magazine.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.