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Iberian lutherie guilds: Tradition and Innovation

2026-01-02T10:11:00

Lead image - Spanish painting of a vihuela player

Instrument making in the Iberian peninsula was once tightly controlled by a network of guilds. Pablo Soriano examines regulations and personal documents to reveal the details of luthiers’ working lives

The beginning of the modern age was a complex time for Europe, when centuries-old traditions had to coexist with myriad new changes. Geography, philosophy, politics, trade and religion all needed redefining, following a quick succession of events. To give just one example closely related to woodwork, the discovery of America had a huge impact on instrument making, resulting from the introduction of so many new wood species. These adaptations to novelties were especially remarkable in the Iberian peninsula, because of the trade monopoly that the governing class was desperate to keep…

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