The Great Musicians - A Series of Biographies #267025

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was the descendant of a family which, towards the close of the sixteenth century, we find settled in Augsburg, where its members earned their livelihood as artists and mechanics. In P. v. Stetten's "History of the Art, Commerce, and Industries of the Imperial Town, of Augsburg," mention is made of an Anton Mozart, who painted landscapes with figures in the style of Breughel, selected the costumes of Albrecht Dürer as his models, and was celebrated for the force and durability of his colour. He may be regarded as the founder of the family of Mozart, which, at the beginning of the seventeenth century, had transferred its allegiance from art to the more lucrative pursuit of trade. On the 7th of October, 1708, Johann Georg Mozart, a bookbinder, married Anna Maria Peterin, the widow of Augustin Banneger, whose business Johann Georg had probably carried on for some time. The supporter of the bridegroom and witness of the ceremony was also a Johann Georg Mozart, described as a master mason, and, from the identity of the Christian names, it may be reasonably concluded that he was either the father or uncle of the bridegroom. Three sons were born of this marriage, two of whom, Franz Joseph Ignaz and Franz Alois, followed their father's trade; while the third, Johann Georg Leopold, born November 14th, 1719, became the father of the celebrated Mozart. From his earliest years, Johann Georg Leopold gave proofs of a quick intellect and remarkable strength of purpose in developing his mental capabilities.