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Scan 135
Dictionary of Violin makers, 1928
10 lines. Read by computer on 27 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1impressed by his skill, and entrusted to him the restoration of all the magnificent specimens of the Italian masters which went through his collection. A keen observer and passionately fond of his work, Joseph Hel derived great benefit from this excellent and close study, and a few years later, his work, already very remarkable, improved to such an extent as to become one of the best, if not the best, of his time. In all the Universal Exhibitions in which he took part he received the highest awards. His make is genuine, that is, devoid of artificial treatment, and well built. The ribs being sometimes a little high, impart to the instrument an aspect of heaviness, but the workmanship is of the very best. As to the varnish used, the composition of which he alone knew, it is generally red and substantial in quantity and quality, in short one of the finest of the French school. His instruments are more and more sought after for their excellent tone qualities and their incomparable beauty. A very fine quartet by Joseph Hel belongs to the celebrated violinist, Eugène Ysaye.
3HEL (Pierre-Jean-Henri) — Lille. Born at Lille in 1884. Son, pupil and successor of Joseph Hel. Although following the traditions of his father, Pierre Hel preserves a marked personality and is a thorough artist whose works have earned him the "Grand Prix" at the Saint-Louis Exhibition in 1904, also that of the Milan Exhibition of 1906. His workmanship is very finished, and models after that of the Cremonese masters. A supple and tender varnish of a rich orange red shade adorns his instruments which possess real tone qualities. Several great virtuosi, among them Georges Enesco, use instruments by Pierre Hel for their concerts. Skilled restorer. Maker and repairer for the Conservatoires of the Hague and Lille. No 463.
5HELMER (Jean) — Lyons 1570. Viols and lutes.
7HÉNOCQ (Jean) — Paris circa 1760. The Museum of the Paris Conservatoire possesses a cither by this maker.
9HÉNOCQ (François) — Paris 1770. Probably brother of the one above. Correct work.
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