Paul Francois Blanchard

History

Paul Francois Blanchard (1851-1912) was born on February 10, 1851, in Mirecourt, Vosges, and died in 1912 in Lyons, France.

He was the grandson of François Blanchard, a maker of guitars.

Paul Francois Blanchard was apprenticed to Auguste Darte in Mirecourt from 1865, who was a pupil of J. B. Vuillaume and successor to Nicolas Vuillaume.

After his apprenticeship, he worked for a few months with Daniel in Marseilles in 1868.

In October 1869, he settled in Lyons, working under Silvestre neveu for seven years.

Sources contain conflicting information about the establishment date of his own workshop; John Dilworth states 1870, while Cecie Stainer and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff indicate 1876.

His first business location was at 45, rue Ferrandieri, which he moved in 1890 to 77, rue de la Republique.

He was appointed luthier to the Lyons Conservatoire, theatres, and orchestra.

Craft

• Models: Paul Francois Blanchard generally followed the patterns of Stradivari and G. Guarneri, sometimes also building after Amati.
• Varnish: His own instruments featured a fine, clear, golden-red oil varnish, described as very transparent and amber-red with a fiery, saturated appearance.
• Workshop Instruments: Cheaper quality instruments, made by his employees, had a consistently good finish but were characterized by a pale gold varnish.
• Tone: His instruments were noted for their powerful and clear tone, showing great equality on all strings.
• Production: Up until a certain point, he had made 379 numbered instruments, producing between 25 and 30 new instruments annually.
• Aging: He did not attempt to artificially age his violins.

Influence

• Family Influence: He was the grandson of François Blanchard, who was a maker of guitars.
• Apprenticeship: He was apprenticed to Auguste Darte from 1865, who was a pupil of J. B. Vuillaume and successor to Nicolas Vuillaume.
• Early Employment: He worked for Daniel in Marseilles in 1868 and subsequently for Silvestre neveu in Lyons for seven years.

Legacy

• Awards: He was awarded medals at several Exhibitions, including a silver medal at Paris in 1889 and the "Grand Prix" at the Lyons Exhibition in 1894.
• Appointments: He was appointed "Luthier du conservatoire national, de l'orchestre et des theatres municipaux" and luthier to the Lyons Conservatoire, theatres, and orchestra.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: His first workshop was established at 45, rue Ferrandieri, and later moved in 1890 to 77, rue de la Republique in Lyons.
• Employees: He employed two workmen, one for repairs and one for new instruments, in addition to his own work.
• Labeling (Own Instruments): His own instruments bore the label: "Fait par Paul Blanchard à Lyon en 18—, No. —," priced at £12 each.
• Labeling (Workshop Instruments): Instruments made by his workmen were sold at half the price of his own and were labeled: "Fait dans l'atelier de P. Blanchard, Lyon, 18—."
• Labeling (Pupil Instruments): Instruments made by his pupils were sold at £3 or £4 each and featured a label representing the Lyons city arms inscribed, "Lugdunum, anno 18—."

Summary

Paul Francois Blanchard (1851-1912) was a highly esteemed and productive French luthier, born in Mirecourt and active in Lyons.

He was apprenticed to Auguste Darte and worked for Daniel and Silvestre neveu before establishing his own workshop in Lyons.

Blanchard was known for following Stradivari and Guarneri models, using a fine golden-red oil varnish, and producing instruments with powerful, clear tones.

He received several awards, including the "Grand Prix" at the Lyons Exhibition in 1894, and was appointed luthier to the Lyons Conservatoire.