Scan 71
Critical & Documentary Dictionary of Violin Makers Old and Modern, 1928
2 lines. Read by computer on 2 October 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1with the most beautiful Stradivarius. The workmanship is of the finest and the varnish gives gilt reflections until and since then unprecedented. It is to Paganini that must be ascribed the glory of having discovered Guarnerius del Gesu in about 1820, this great maker having remained unknown for many years. Towards the end of his life the work is not so fine, although preserving its great personality. As regards characteristics, the sound holes are long and pointed, the back and belly are thick, the latter especially so at the chest, and not hollowed out. The CC espouse the form of the FF. The scroll, as modelled in clay, might well be by Rodin. As to his varnish, of a rare brilliancy and transparency, it varies from amber-yellow to brown-red. The tone of his instruments is powerful and appropriate for large halls. One might perhaps regret that the fourth string does not possess the strength of the others. It is to be deplored that this master did not make 'cellos, as considering his high knowledge of acoustics, no one was more qualified than he for making such instruments, which would have been treasured by many artists. Guarnerius, grand-nephew of Andrea Guarnerius, was of noble descent. Where does the name of del Gesu, under which he is known, come from? Information regarding the life of this great maker is totally lacking, with the exception of his birth date, since one is certain that he was born on the 17th October. 1686 and not on the 8th June, 1683, date given by Fetis in error. If one considers firstly his individual and original style, devoid of affinity with or close influence by other makers, the fact that no-one is known to have been his pupil (those who followed his model were only imitators). the absence of 'cellos amongst his instruments, probably through lack of materials, the small number of instruments made by him (a documented Italian author, M. de Piccolellis in his work "Liutai antichi e moderni", Florence, Le monner 1885, attributes to him about 50 violins and 10 violas, although Hart and others declare that he did not make violas any more than 'cellos) and lastly that the monogram of his label bears the three eucharistic letters I. H. S. surmounted by a cross, as then used by the Jesuits for their seals. Would it not be plausible that Guarnerius might have been a member of the Society
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