Giovanni Battista Rugeri

History

Giovanni Battista RUGERI (1653-1711) was born in Cremona, the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, very few authenticated instruments bear his label. Vincenzo Lancetti states that Giovanni Battista Rugeri called himself "Bononiensis," referring to his status as a citizen of Bologna, as noted by George Hart in The Violin. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his working period and location; John Dilworth indicates his death in 1711 in Cremona, while Count Cozio di Salabue and Lancetti suggest he worked until 1723 or later and lived for many years in Brescia. He appears to have worked from about the close of the seventeenth century.

There are some instruments bearing original Amati labels of his make, which were doubtless made when he was in the shop of Amati, as mentioned by George Hart.

Craft

• Workmanship: Instruments attributed to Giovanni Battista Rugeri are described by John Dilworth as very sophisticated and beautifully made, adhering to the Rugeri tradition without significant departures in style or craftsmanship.
• Varnish: Some of his instruments feature a deeper red varnish than is typically associated with Francesco Rugeri, according to John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer notes that his violoncellos generally had dark brown varnish of good quality.
• Modeling: George Hart observes that his instruments are of a different pattern to those of Francesco, being higher modeled.
• Violoncellos: Cecie Stainer highlights that he made several violoncellos of a large pattern, which were rather arched and generally constructed from plain wood.
• Sound Holes & Scroll: Cecie Stainer states that both the sound holes and the scroll on his instruments were cut wider than in Amati work. George Hart adds that the sound-holes were less elegant and the scroll heavier compared to Francesco's work.
• Pattern: Instruments he made of a large Amati pattern are highly valued, as noted by George Hart.

Influence

• Mentorship: Giovanni Battista Rugeri was the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri.
• Collaboration: He may have worked in the shop of Amati, as suggested by instruments bearing original Amati labels of his make.

Legacy

• Value: His instruments possess high merits and command prices nearly equivalent to those of Francesco Rugeri's instruments, according to George Hart.

Further Information

• Labels: Labels found on his instruments include 'Gio. Battista Rugier detto il per / fecit Cremonae Anno 16..' as cited by John Dilworth. Other labels mentioned by Cecie Stainer include 'Giacinto filio di Francesco Ruggeri detto il Per 1696 ' and one dated 1692.
• Label Characteristics: George Hart notes that the labels of this maker are sometimes met with printed in red ink.
• Appellation: He was known as "Bononiensis" due to his citizenship in Bologna.
• Working Locations: While born in Cremona, he is also noted to have lived for many years in Brescia.

Summary

Giovanni Battista Rugeri (1653-1711) was a Cremonese luthier, the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri. His instruments, though few are authenticated, are recognized for their sophisticated craftsmanship within the Rugeri tradition, often featuring a deeper red or dark brown varnish. He made large-pattern violoncellos and instruments in the Amati style, which are highly valued. While primarily associated with Cremona, conflicting sources suggest he may have worked until 1723 or later and resided in Brescia for many years. He was also known as "Bononiensis" due to his Bologna citizenship and may have worked in the Amati shop.