Photo: H. Pottin / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Sébastien Érard, born on April 5, 1752 in Strasbourg, France, was an entrepreneur, piano maker and musical instrument maker. Sébastien Érard died on August 5, 1831, aged 79. Notable works include Catalogue des tableaux italiens, flamands, hollandais et français des anciennes écoles, qui composent la magnifique galerie de M. le chevalier Erard and Ordre qui sera suivi pour la mise aux enchères des tableaux, composant la galerie de feu M. le Chevalier Séb. Érard.
My Take
Sébastien Érard is the kind of figure who makes my chest tighten with admiration. By inventing the double-escapement action, he made the rapid repetition of notes possible, which means the piano you hear in any modern concert hall flows from his workshop in Strasbourg. He improved the harp, built his name into a great brand as an entrepreneur, and even collected art, leaving behind a gallery bearing his own name. Craftsman's hands, merchant's instinct, connoisseur's eye, all in one man. Across more than two centuries, he earns my standing applause. Simply outstanding work.
This take was written by generative AI, one per person, from publicly reported facts (editorial policy). It is a reading of the record, not reporting.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Sébastien Érard
- Name (Japanese)
- セバスチャン・エラール
- Reading
- せばすちゃん・えらーる
- Born
- April 5, 1752 – August 5, 1831
- Origin
- Strasbourg, France
- Occupation
- entrepreneur / piano maker / musical instrument maker / musician / art collector
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Aries / Monkey
2. Works & records
Filmography / notable works
| Category | Title |
|---|---|
| Notable work | Catalogue des tableaux italiens, flamands, hollandais et français des anciennes écoles, qui composent la magnifique galerie de M. le chevalier Erard |
| Notable work | Ordre qui sera suivi pour la mise aux enchères des tableaux, composant la galerie de feu M. le Chevalier Séb. Érard |
3. Links
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
Only publicly available facts are listed; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. Base data was compiled from Wikidata from June 2026 onward; ages are recalculated daily and deaths are checked against Wikidata on an ongoing basis. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Sébastien Érard born?
Sébastien Érard was born on April 5, 1752.
When did Sébastien Érard die?
Sébastien Érard died on August 5, 1831, aged 79.
Where was Sébastien Érard from?
Sébastien Érard was from Strasbourg, France.
What did Sébastien Érard do?
Sébastien Érard worked as entrepreneur, piano maker, musical instrument maker, musician, art collector.
What was Sébastien Érard known for?
Sébastien Érard's notable works include Catalogue des tableaux italiens, flamands, hollandais et français des anciennes écoles, qui composent la magnifique galerie de M. le chevalier Erard, Ordre qui sera suivi pour la mise aux enchères des tableaux, composant la galerie de feu M. le Chevalier Séb. Érard.
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