Scan 109
The violin, its famous makers and their imitators, 1887
8 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. No printed page number was found. See the scan on archive.org.
1with the character of the body of the instrument. It must be acknowledged, however, that these efforts did not carry him far enough. The surface of the scroll is usually inclined to flatness. The wood used by Niccolò Amati for his grand instruments is of splendid quality, both as regards acoustical requirements, and beauty of appearance. The grain of some of his backs have a wave-like form of much beauty, others have markings of great regularity, giving to the instrument a highly finished appearance. The bellies are of a soft, silken nature, and usually of even grain. A few of them are of singular beauty, their grain being of a mottled character, which, within its transparent coat of varnish, flashes light here and there with singular force. The colour of the varnish varies in point of depth, sometimes it is of a rich amber colour, at others reddish-brown, and in a instances light golden-red.
3These, then, are the instruments which are so highly esteemed, and which form one of the chief links in the Violin family. The highest praise must be conceded to the originator of a design which combines extreme elegance with utility; and, simple as the result may appear, the successful construction of so graceful a whole must have been attended with rare ingenuity and persevering labour.
5Here, again, is evidence of the master mind, never resting, ever seeking to improve; evidence, too, that mere elaboration of work was not the sole aim of the Cremonese makers. They designed and created as they worked; and their success, which no succeeding age has aspired to rival, entitles them to rank with the chief artists of the world.
7On the form of the instrument known as the "grand Amati," Stradivari exerted all the power of his early years; and the fruits of his labours are, in point of finish, unsur-
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.