Scan 105
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
14 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 63. See the scan on archive.org.
1Joseph Guarnerius
2Alumnus Andreæ Gisalberti
3fecit in Cremonæ 1714
5It would be very interesting to know whether this instrument was one of a number made by him at the time, or only a few interspersed among others of different or the earlier characteristics. Years back I met with another of the same type, but which had been robbed of its ticket. At the time, to me it was an interesting, well preserved old Italian violin, but being unable to definitely decide as to its authorship, I had to be content with noting down as many of its peculiarities as possible under the circumstances.
7As I have not been able to keep in touch with it, the owner having since that time died, the violin may now be in some collector or player's hands unrecognised, except so far as its strong Italian character and fine tonal qualities might be perceptible to the eye and ear of the owner.
9The difference in many points of detail between this specimen of Joseph's work and the earlier one illustrated in these pages, is so great, that at first sight the connection in general style, outline and modelling, is difficult to grasp; nevertheless, after a while, the individuality of many parts is perceptibly the same in both.
11Another interesting specimen of this period is Mr. Robson's violin (See Plates XIII., XIV., and XV.).
13The cause of apparent divergence is, in the first place, the enormous advance in boldness, both in conception of the design and its execution. There is here the first indication of the peculiar power of Joseph Guarnerius, in giving an impression of largeness, apparently without effort, even suggesting a want of consciousness of the
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