Scan 173
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1884
10 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 115. See the scan on archive.org.
1name with that of Antonio Stradivari, a fact which, it must be granted, lends to it a certain degree of importance.
3The instruments of Lorenzo are exceedingly bold in design, and differ in this respect from those of Giovanni Battista, which retain much of the delicate form of Stradivari. Lorenzo frequently changed the form of his sound-hole, giving it the pointed character of Giuseppe Guarneri in some instances, and in others retaining the type of sound-hole perfected by his master. The model is inclined to flatness, the declivity being of the gentlest kind: the breadth of the design commands admiration. The scroll is certainly not an imitation of that of Stradivari; it has considerable originality, and is more attractive on that account than for its beauty. The varnish is not so brilliant as that of Giovanni Battista, but possesses a mellowness foreign to the other members of the family. The tone is powerful, tempered with a rich quality. The works of this maker are rare, and eagerly sought for in England.
5Lorenzo Guadagnini was born at Piacenza, and upon leaving the workshop of his master, returned to his native town, where he remained until about the year 1695, at which period he is said to have removed to Milan. In the last-named city he continued to work until about the year 1740.*
7GUADAGNINI, Giovanni Battista, Piacenza, 1711
9* This and other information relative to the Guadagnini family I have recently obtained from its descendants at Turin.
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