Hoffmann Johann Christian, *1683 Leipzig, †1 II 1750 Leipzig, is a leading representative of a German family of string instrument makers active in the 17th and 18th centuries in Leipzig. His grandfather, Veit (†V 1673 Leipzig), was known as a maker of lutes and violins. Father, Martin (*28 VIII 1654 Leipzig, †15 IV 1719 Leipzig) during his 30-year period of activity as a builder of lutes, viols, guitars, theorbos, and violins, was the most esteemed in Leipzig; unlike his son Johann Christian, he labelled his instruments with original labels. Younger brother, Christian Gottlieb (*17 IV 1691 Leipzig, †27 IV 1735 Leipzig), built lutes, viols, violins, and organ pipes. Hoffmann was married twice (in 1710 and 1736), remained childless, and the history of the family’s business concluded with him.
The instruments built by Hoffmann include: theorbos, lutes, viols, violins, violas, violoncellos piccolo, double basses Around 1712-41, he was the main builder of instruments for King of Poland and Elector of Saxony Augustus II the Strong, and later Augustus III of Poland. This function obliged him to supply the Dresden Hofkapelle with instruments of his own production. Influenced by J.S. Bach, who was his friend, in 1724 Hoffmann built an instrument called viola pomposa, a 5-stringed instrument (C G d a e1), intermediate between the viola and the cello, held like a violin; in J.S. Bach’s works this instrument is called violoncello piccolo. Furthermore, Hoffmann was also involved in the restoration of antique instruments, e.g., in 1734, he undertook the conservation of string instruments in the Thomaskirche and Neukirche in Leipzig, commissioned by J.S. Bach. Hoffmann’s most prominent pupil was J.G. Schmidt, a violin builder. Approximately 40 instruments built by him are preserved in the Museum of Musical Instruments of Leipzig University. During his lifetime, Hoffmann gained fame and recognition as the foremost among German string instrument builders of the 18th century. His crafted instruments were characterised by their exquisite body forms, the use of exceptional materials, and their vocal-like sound qualities.
