Pierre Saint-Paul

History

Pierre SAINT-PAUL (worked circa 1728, died 1772) was a luthier active in Paris, France. According to John Dilworth, he worked in the rue de la Comédie Française up to 1741. He later moved to the rue Saint André des Arts, where his shop was identified by the sign 'A la lyre d'Apollon'. Cecie Stainer notes his presence in the rue St.-André-des-Arts in 1742, and a violoncello label from 1741 indicates his address as rue de la Comedie Françoise. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also states he first resided in the Rue de la Comédie francaise, but controversially claims he moved to the Rue St. André des Arts in 1772, the year of his death, a date that conflicts with other sources. His work is mentioned in Bruni's Inventaire, and he was represented at the Belgian retrospective exhibition of 1878.

Craft

• Instruments: Pierre Saint-Paul produced violins, six-stringed viols, violoncellos, and pardessus de viole.
• Workmanship: His violins are often described as having a small model. Cecie Stainer notes a violoncello with 'rather poor workmanship' and 'yellow-greyish varnish'. John Dilworth describes his violins as having 'pale yellow varnish of poor quality'. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff corroborates this, mentioning 'schlechten, gelbgrauen Lack' (bad, yellow-grey varnish) and 'Rohheit der Ausführung' (roughness of execution), though he adds that his violins possess 'einen ziemlich guten Ton' (a rather good tone). Lütgendorff also states that his quintons were 'besser durchgeführt' (better executed).
• Labels: Examples of his labels include: 'Pierre Saint-Paul, rue de la Comedie Françoise, Paris, 1741' (Stainer), 'Pierre Saint-Paul, rue Saint / André des Arts à Paris, 1742' (Dilworth, for a pardessus de viole in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels), and 'Pierre Saint-Paul, rue Saint / André des Arts à Paris, 1743 (A la lyre d'Apollon)' (Dilworth).

Legacy

• Museum Holdings: A pardessus de viole by Pierre Saint-Paul, dated 1742, is held in the Musical Instruments Museum, Brussels.
• Exhibitions: His work was featured at the Belgian retrospective exhibition of 1878.
• Mentions: His instruments are referenced in Bruni's Inventaire.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Pierre Saint-Paul worked at the rue de la Comédie Française and later at the rue Saint André des Arts in Paris.
• Shop Sign: His workshop on the rue Saint André des Arts was known by the sign 'A la lyre d'Apollon'.