Hans Ruckers II

Hans Ruckers (15 Jan 1578—29 Sept 1642) was an influential Dutch maker of harpsichords and organs from Antwerp, the first son of Hans Ruckers (1540s—1598). Hans became partners with his brother Andreas Ruckers after their father passed away, taking over the family shop entirely in 1608. Ruckers joined the city's Guild of St Luke (where all artists and craftsman registered) in 1611 and began engraving his instruments as IR, rather than with his father's stamp HR. Circa 1627, his nephew Ioannes Couchet began apprenticing with Hans, eventually taking over the workshop. There are about 35 instruments by Hans Ruckers in existence today. Name Variations: Ioannes, Joannes, Jan