This illustration of a violin by J.B. Guadagnini was published in The Strad, November 1938. The following text is extracted from the article accompanying the photographs

This instrument was made in the year prior to J.B. Guadagnini’s removal from Parma to Turin. His stay in Parma lasted for ten years and would appear to have been a fairly successful phase in his career.

The violin illustrated has a one-piece back, though most of his instruments had two-piece backs. It is a well-preserved specimen and is generously covered with a dark red-brown varnish which has become artistically shaded through wear and time.

The body length is 13 15/16 inches, which is usual for his instruments. Other dimensions are: Upper Bouts, 6 9/16ths inches; Middle Bouts, 4 ½ inches; Lower Bouts, 8 inches full; Depth of Ribs, 1 3/16th to 1 ¼ inches. The violin bears its original label dated Parma, 1769.

Topics