Scan 83
Antonio Stradivari, his life and work (1644-1737), 1909
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1well-known amateurs. Its proportions, as will be noted (see Appendix), are of full dimensions, and, combined with a broad, robust aspect, it worthily portrays this very manly type of Stradivari's work. Its varnish, of a rich orange tint, is beyond criticism, the softness of its texture being especially beautiful. Another example, dated 1712, in possession of Miss Eldina Bligh, is also an equally characteristic, though a much less well-preserved example. In addition to the violins, we are indebted to these years for the "Mara," "Duport," "Romberg," and "Davidoff" violoncellos, all instruments of the finest type. The year 1713 gives us an admirable violin, the "Boissier," now owned by the late Señor Sarasate.* Fétis mentions it as one of the finest existing Stradivaris, and we can certainly confirm his statement. Its outline is of the 14 1/6-inch form, the model a little fuller, though closely following that of the "Parke" instrument; the edge, corners, and purfling are perhaps a trifle neater, and the sound-holes more lightly cut. The varnish is also of great beauty, its tint being a shade redder than that of the "Parke," and the whole instrument is in very fine condition. The "Sancy" and the violin owned by Mr. Alfred Gibson are fine examples of this same year.
3Of the year 1714 we have a violin of wide repute—the "Dolphin"—formerly in the Adam and Bennett collections, now owned by Lieutenant Munro, R.N. The example in the possession of M. Soil is also a specimen of the highest order. The "Batta" violoncello dates from this year.
5The year 1715 is indeed a rich one; it contributes no fewer than six violins of the first rank: the "Gillott," three examples formerly in the possession of the late Professor Joachim,† another owned by Mr. F. L. Bevan, and lastly
7* Bequeathed by Sarasate to the Conservatoire of Music at Madrid.
8† These three violins are now in the possession of Herr Robert von Mendelssohn, Mdlle Aranyi, and Mr. Harold Joachim
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