Pieter and François Hemony
Hemony brothers | |
|---|---|
1875 drawing of the brothers with Jacob van Eyck | |
| Occupation | Bellfounders |
| Years active | 1641–1680 |
| Known for | Developing the tuned carillon with Van Eyck |
| Pieter Hemony | |
| Born | Pierre Hemony 1619 Levécourt, France |
| Died | 20 February 1680 (aged 60–61) Amsterdam, Dutch Republic |
| François Hemony | |
| Born | c. 1609 Levécourt, France |
| Died | 24 May 1667 (aged c. 57–58) Amsterdam, Dutch Republic |
Pieter Hemony (born Pierre Hemony; 1619 – 20 February 1680) and his brother François Hemony (c. 1609 – 24 May 1667) were the greatest bellfounders in the history of the Low Countries. They developed the carillon, in collaboration with Jacob van Eyck, into a full-fledged musical instrument by casting the first tuned carillon in 1644.
The brothers' skill was unequaled in their time; after their death, their guarded trade secrets were lost, and not until the 19th century were bells of comparable tuning quality cast. Even today, most Hemony bells sound pure and clear.