Francois Gavinies

History

Francois Gavinies (1683-1772) was born in Bordeaux in 1683 and established his workshop in the rue des Minimes in Bordeaux, working there from 1723 to 1734.

He moved to Paris around 1730 or 1741, settling in the rue St-Thomas-du-Louvre, where he was appointed head of the Corporation of Luthiers in 1762.

According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was a skilled master capable of producing very good violins, though he sometimes made instruments of lesser quality, leading to the jest that his only good work was his son, the celebrated violinist Pierre Gaviniés.

Craft

• Workmanship: He was known for good, precise work, sometimes with extra elaboration, and integrated many Cremonese ideas into his craft.
• Materials: His good violins were constructed from beautiful wood, exhibiting good form and varnish. However, his varnish was generally described as dull and chippy, typically of a yellow or red-brown tint.
• Distinctive Features: Instead of a traditional scroll, he occasionally incorporated carved heads, such as a King David on a double bass from 1757, which is now part of the Paris Conservatoire's collection.
• Models: He frequently imitated the large Stradivari model.
• Branding: He generally branded his instruments with his name and also utilized a brand mark.
• Notable Instruments: His cellos were highly sought-after. Known instruments include a six-string viol dated 1744 in the Paris Conservatoire Collection, a quinton from 1749 mentioned in Bruni-Gallay's Inventaire (from the collection of Count Puységur), and several violins and double basses housed in the Musée de la Musique at the Paris Conservatoire.

Influence

• School: Francois Gavinies was a significant maker associated with the pre-revolutionary 'vieux Paris' school.
• Technique: He notably integrated many Cremonese ideas into his instrument making.

Legacy

• Family: His son, Pierre Gaviniés, became a celebrated violinist.
• Collections: Several of his instruments, including a six-string viol and a double bass with a carved King David head, are preserved in the Paris Conservatoire Collection and the Musée de la Musique in Paris.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He maintained a workshop in Bordeaux in the rue des Minimes and later in Paris in the rue St-Thomas-du-Louvre.
• Labels: His labels included 'Gaviniès, rue / S. Thomas du Lou / vre, à Paris, 17..'.

Summary

Francois Gavinies (1683-1772) was an influential French luthier who began his career in Bordeaux before moving to Paris around 1730-1741, where he became a prominent figure in the pre-revolutionary 'vieux Paris' school.

Appointed head of the Corporation of Luthiers in 1762, he was recognized for his precise craftsmanship, his integration of Cremonese ideas, and his distinctive use of carved heads instead of scrolls on some instruments, often imitating the large Stradivari model.

His output included sought-after cellos and a notable double bass with a King David head, with several of his instruments preserved in collections such as the Paris Conservatoire. He was also the father of the celebrated violinist Pierre Gaviniés.