Scan 70
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737), 1909
4 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1accustomed to see the traditional Amati yellow and its kindred tints, although, as already stated, Stradivari had from the earliest times occasionally employed varnish of deeper colour; but not until 1684 do we begin more frequently to meet with the warmer-tinted varnishes. Some of the long-pattern instruments are especially fine in this respect, and compare favourably with many of the productions of the next century.
3Now, the outline, dimensions, and general construction of the long-pattern violin admirably demonstrate Stradivari's powers of originality; and that he should have succeeded in adding \( \frac{5}{16} \)ths of an inch to the total length, while retaining the relative harmony of top, bottom, and middle curves, is an additional proof of his keen sense of symmetry; and this is rendered the more noticeable when compared with the works of many of the other Italian makers, few of whom were wanting in originality, though some showed a lack of symmetry in their designs. As we have just stated, every part of the outline is in proportion to the increase of length. The bouts are therefore longer and less curved, the corners a little shorter and less drooping (this latter feature being a marked characteristic), the edge is neater in aspect than hitherto, and the margin round the sides is lessened, as if to help to make up for the decreased widths. The purfling is of stout substance, and the mitres point straight up the corners in order to harmonise with their different curves. The model is, as a rule, flat, yet presenting a certain fulness which commences to swell imperceptibly from the purfling. It contrasts with the very graceful and more scooped modelling of Stradivari's earlier works. The "f" holes are more open, and generally set a little straighter; even the heads of these instruments—certain specimens of which we consider stand out pre-eminently by their
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