Scan 169
Joseph Guarnerius, his work and his master [Andreas Gisalberti], 1906
14 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 101. See the scan on archive.org.
1to look heavier, indeed, more so than the very large majority of his numerous changes.
3There is some suggestion about this pattern of his having been influenced by the other Joseph (filius Andræ) who was most likely engaged in a settled business in Cremona, but I doubt whether this, from the natural independence of Joseph, was more than an accidental approach to a type that had been put forth by this great master of varnishing. There is, however, the fact which must not be overlooked—of the ff being placed lower down, as was usual with his namesake.
5The modelling is in agreement with the earlier or 1706 type, and in detail the tooling may be said to be of a precisely similar character.
7The soundholes have unfortunately suffered a little under the hands of some member of the repairing faculty (probably long since deceased), seized with a desire to make them more Joseph-like and proper, an instance in harmony with some would-be improvements on the masters of musical composition by publishing firms in "touching up the old 'un," but in the present case it is "touching up the young 'un."
9The varnish is still of the yellow or light orange colour. The scroll shows a more distinct departure from the earlier or Gisalberti time, in having a lighter character with more slender throat. The grooves at the back are gouged in a more emphatic manner, but are not of high finish. The characteristic quality of tone is maintained, and may be fairly classed as of the highest rank and charm, with a sufficiency of energy.
11This violin was, in my most careful estimation, made about the year 1710, when Joseph was twenty-seven years of age.
13Between this date and the violin made in 1714, referred to before, there was ample time for changes of almost any kind to have occurred. The indications thrown out in the 1710 one during this interval seem to have become more and more strong under the spirit of independence within the maker, and the aspect of this
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