Scan 159
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
12 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1to improve upon Stradiuarius in his own field of work, for they must have well known the Herculean character of such a task. On the other hand, had these remarkable makers been mere copyists, they would certainly have handed down to us more instruments moulded in exact accord with the style of their great teacher, while at the same time we should have lost many variations, which are at present not only an evidence of their fertility of resource, but also in themselves most pleasing objects. If, in the sister art, Tintoretto had made it his sole business to copy Titian, the world would have been rich in copies of Titian, but poor in Tintorettos.
3The varnish of Montagnana has long excited the admiration of connoisseurs throughout Europe. The extreme richness and velvet-like softness which are its characteristics constitute it a fitting countersign of the workmanship of this great maker, an artist of first magnitude. He made Violins, Violas, and Violoncellos. His Violins are of two sizes.
5Montegratia, Petrus Johannes, Mediolani, 1780. Guadagnini character. The work is well done, and the modelling good. His Tenors are among his best instruments.
7Morella, Morgato, Mantua, 1550. Made several Viol da Gambas of good quality.
9Muller, Venice. An esteemed maker of Lutes.
11Panormo, Vincenzo, Palermo, born about 1740, died 1813. This maker was one of the most suc-
Makers on this page
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