Georges Cousineau

History

Georges Cousineau (b. circa 1753 – d. 1824). Sources contain conflicting information regarding his working period and potential familial connections. According to John Dilworth, a Georges Cousineau worked circa 1735-1770 in Paris, France, sharing the workshop of J. Ouvrard around 1735 and apprenticed to F. Lejeune around 1748. However, Cecie Stainer states that Georges Cousineau was born about 1753 in Paris and died in 1824. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests he was probably Pierre Jos. C.'s son. He was subsequently established at rue Bourg de Brie. He became Master of the Corporation of Makers of Musical Instruments in Paris in 1769. In 1788, he was appointed luthier to the queen, Marie Antoinette. Primarily a harp-maker, he also listed all kinds of stringed instruments, including viols, violins, and cellos, on his labels and trade cards, as noted by John Dilworth.

Craft

• Instrument Production: Georges Cousineau was primarily a harp-maker, but his labels and trade cards listed a wide variety of stringed instruments. These included viols, violins, cellos, harps, lyres, double-basses, par-dessus de viole, alto-viola, guitars, violes d'amour, mandolines, and sistres.
• Branding: He used a brand mark with his name.
• Notable Instruments: An alto branded with his name is known, and a double-bass with three strings is preserved in the Paris Conservatoire Collection.
• Ancillary Business: He also sold Naples strings and maintained a shop for French and Italian music. His wife was noted for engraving music.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Georges Cousineau was apprenticed to F. Lejeune around 1748.
• Workshop Association: He shared the workshop of J. Ouvrard around 1735.

Legacy

• Professional Recognition: He was Master of the Corporation of Makers of Musical Instruments in Paris in 1769.
• Royal Appointment: In 1788, he was entitled "Luthier de la Reine," serving Marie Antoinette.
• Museum Presence: A double-bass made by him, featuring three strings, is part of the Paris Conservatoire Collection.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He was established at rue Bourg de Brie.
• Label Details: A label from his workshop read: "rue des Poulies, vis-a-vis la colonade du Louvre, 'a la Victoire.' Cousineau luthier, fait et vend harpes. lyres, violons, violoncellos, contrebasses, par-dessus de viole, alto-viola, guitares, violes d'amour, mandolines, sistres et autres instruments de musique. Il vend aussi des cordes de Naples et tient magasin de musique francaise et italienne. Son epouse grave la musique."