Scan 134
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
10 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 86. See the scan on archive.org.
1accordance with the usual way, or disposition of the pupil, to walk in the footsteps of his master until the powers and peculiarities innate with him have progressively become more potent, until too strong for restraint.
3With regard to the tone of the Gisalbertis that may have been sold at times as the work of Joseph Guarnerius, there would be little or no difficulty on the part of the vendor of the former, the quality in all respects being much the same with both masters, although both of them, in common with other masters, sent forth instruments varying in the volume of their tone as well as in some minor particulars. A few words may be added concerning the carving of the scrolls of Gisalberti's violins. That he was a man of variable humour has before been stated, but the striking difference between the violins of the Parma, Rimini, and Bozzolo periods can only be accounted for on the supposition, as before put forward, that at the latter place Gisalberti found it necessary to conform to the whims or prejudices of the people who purchased from or commissioned him.
5The Bozzolo type of head is a really fine production, with a rather delicately formed peg-box, the scroll having bold turns and looking rather narrow from the front.
7The grooves running down from the back part of the scroll to what is known as the shell, in those specimens that have come under my notice, have had much the same handling, in each instance there being an evident indisposition to carve much of a hollow on each side of the central line; in this respect he differs from his great pupil Joseph, who one day would carve this part in a manner strongly suggestive of his master, and the next time be very emphatic in the hollowing of the shell, so much so as to cause the connoisseur of moderate experience to have some doubts for a moment as to the identity of the maker, or of a later possible interference by some repairer or improver.
9The size of the scrolls cut by Gisalberti at different times and in different localities vary much, and might suggest to a casual observer the work of two different
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