Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel

History

Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel (1798-1870) was born in Mirecourt in 1798 and died in Bougival, France, in 1870, according to John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer, however, states his birth year as January 12, 1802, and his death date as August 6, 1870. He was known as 'Bernardel Père'. He apprenticed in Mirecourt before joining Lupot in Paris around 1815, remaining there until 1824, as noted by Dilworth. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Cecie Stainer state he came to Paris in 1820. He briefly worked with Gand before opening his own shop in the capital in 1826 in the rue Coquillière. He later moved to rue Croix des Petits Champs, where Vuillaume was already established. Sources contain conflicting information regarding when his sons joined the firm: Dilworth states his sons Ernest (in 1840) and Gustave (around 1849) joined him, leading the firm to become known as Bernardel et Fils. Lütgendorff and Stainer, however, indicate he took his two sons into partnership in 1859, with Lütgendorff naming them Ernst August and Gustave Adolf. He retired in 1866 to Bougival, a town popular with the Impressionist painters at that time. Stainer notes that he retired to facilitate the association of the Gands in his business, which was then styled "Gand et Bernardel." He is considered one of the most important and influential French makers, eclipsed only by his teacher, Lupot, and his almost exact contemporary J. B. Vuillaume, according to Dilworth.

Craft

• Models: He used Stradivari, Guarneri, and Brescian models. A violin copied from Maggini was exhibited in London in 1855.
• Materials: His materials were always of the very finest quality. Lütgendorff notes he was a thorough connoisseur of wood, which he selected with the greatest care.
• Varnish: His varnish is generally inferior to Vuillaume's and can be a slightly crude red color.
• Execution: His violins by comparison seem a little heavy in execution.
• Specific Instruments: Cellos modeled on the Stradivari 'Duport' cello are particularly successful, and his double basses are highly sought-after. Stainer notes his violoncellos especially had a remarkably fine tone. Lütgendorff mentions that on the London Exhibition 1851, his work was compared to Forster's, though his cello was said to have a nasal tone, but he surpassed all English masters in tone beauty.
• Technique: He was a pioneer of 'antiqued' copies of individual classical instruments with artificially shaded varnish, along with Vuillaume and Betts in England.

Influence

• Teacher: He was a pupil of Lupot.
• Tradition: He was a worthy inheritor of Lupot's tradition and craftsmanship.
• Colleagues: He briefly worked with C. F. Gand.

Legacy

• Awards: He received a mention in 1827; bronze medals in Paris in 1834 and 1839; a silver medal in Paris in 1844 for an alto; a gold medal in Paris in 1849; a medal of the 2nd class in London in 1851; and a medal of the 1st class in London in 1855 for a violin copied from Maggini, a bass, and a double-bass.
• Firm Continuity: The firm became known as Bernardel et Fils when his sons joined. After his retirement, the business was styled "Gand et Bernardel" to facilitate the association of the Gands.

Further Information

• Addresses: His workshops were located at rue Coquillière, No. 44; rue Croix des Petits Champs, No. 23; and rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21 in Paris.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Bernardel, luthier / ex-ouvrier du Lupot / rue Coquillière, No. 44 à Paris / l’an 1826"; "Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / Aux Croix des Petits Champs No. 23 / à Paris 1835"; and "Medaille d’or et d’argent / aux Expositions de 1844 et 1849 / Bernardel, Luthier Élève de Lupot / rue Croix des Petits Champs, 21. / à Paris. 1855." A printed label also read: "Medaille d'or et d'argent aux expositions de 1844 et 1849. Bernardel, luthier, eleve de Lupot, rue Croix-des-Petits Champs, 21, a Paris, 18— . . . (Signed) Bernardel."

Summary

Auguste Sebastien Philippe Bernardel was a highly influential French luthier of the 19th century, known as 'Bernardel Père'. He apprenticed in Mirecourt and with Nicolas Lupot in Paris, establishing his own workshop in 1826. His firm, later Bernardel et Fils, produced excellent instruments, particularly successful cellos and sought-after double basses, using the finest materials and often employing antiqued finishes. He received numerous medals at exhibitions in Paris and London and is considered a worthy inheritor of Lupot's tradition, though sources contain conflicting dates regarding his birth and when his sons joined the business.