Lute

Wendelin Tieffenbrucker

late 16th century · Yew, spruce, ebony, maple · Musical Instruments

The arched back is formed of 37 ribs, the neck and pegbox--holding 4 bass strings and 20 fretted strings--are veneered with ebony. The fragile spruce top has been removed and is displayed to show repairs and alterations in the original ribbing; a modern replacement top maintains the form of the body. The Tieffenbrucker family was among the most important dynasties of the lute-making craft during the Italian Renaissance. The family migrated from the little town of Tieffenbruck in Bavaria to Venice at the beginning of the sixteenth century, and became the cornerstone of the lute-making industry there. This lute was built as a bass instrument, which originally had eight or ten courses (groups of strings meant to be played together) and was modified in the eighteenth century to thirteen courses. The back is made of thirty-seven bicolor yew ribs. The large number of ribs, as well as the wood choices, are distinctive innovations introduced by the Tieffenbruckers. (Jonathan Santa Maria Bouquet, 2009)

Artist

Wendelin Tieffenbrucker

Date

late 16th century

Medium

Yew, spruce, ebony, maple

Culture

Italian

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Freedman, by exchange, 1989