Ventura Linarol

History

Ventura Linarol (c.1540-1591) was the son of Francesco Linarol and an important early maker of the Venetian school. He worked in Venice until around 1584, then appears to have moved to Padua for a short period in 1585, before returning to Venice by 1591, according to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart. Lütgendorff identifies him as the most significant maker within his family.

Craft

• Instrument Types: Ventura Linarol was known for making viols, lutes, bass viols, violins, and lira da braccio, as noted by George Hart in The Violin and Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers.
• Lira da Braccio: A particularly large and sophisticated lira da braccio, dated 1563 and preserved in a fine state at the National Music Museum in Dakota, USA, features characteristic incurving lower bouts and ribs and a back carved from a solid block of maple, though it now has a modern head. Several smaller lira da braccios are attributed to him which have been converted into violas.
• Violin Characteristics: The Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna houses a fine early violin dated 1581, which retains its original form, featuring a mahogany back, double purfling, and a head with small 'spurs' integrated into the pegbox profile, along with characteristic F-holes.
• Tenor-Viols: Two tenor-viols exhibited in London in 1872, likely made by Linarol, originally accommodated six or seven strings, indicated by the broad space between the sound-holes, but were later fitted with scrolls for four pegs.

Legacy

• Museum Holdings: Instruments by Ventura Linarol are preserved in significant collections, including a lira da braccio in the National Music Museum, Dakota, USA, and an early violin in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna.
• Historical Ownership: Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Este owned a violin dated 1581 by Linarol, and Paul de Wit possessed a magnificent lira da gamba from 1577.
• Exhibitions: A tenor-viol and a discant gamba were displayed at the Vienna Music Exhibition, and two tenor-viols were exhibited in London in 1872.
• Family Significance: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies Ventura Linarol as the most significant maker within his family.

Further Information

• Labels: His labels include "Ventura di Francesco / Linarolo In Venetia 1577", "Ventura di Franco / Linarol in Padoa, f. 1585", and "Ventura di Francesco / Linaroli fece in Venetia, a. 1591".
• Conflicting Dates: Sources contain conflicting information regarding a viola da gamba reportedly seen by Valdrighi with the year 1514; this date is considered to be based on a reading error.

Summary

Ventura Linarol (c.1540-1591) was a prominent Italian luthier of the Venetian school, son of Francesco Linarol. He worked primarily in Venice, with a brief period in Padua around 1585. Renowned for his diverse instrument making, his surviving works include sophisticated lira da braccio, violins, and various viols, many of which are preserved in major museums and historical collections.