(Domenico) Michele Platner

History

(Domenico) Michele Platner (1684-1752) was born in 1684 and died in 1752 in Rome, Italy, according to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. He was the son, pupil, and successor of Alberto Platner, inheriting his father's workshop in the Pigna district of the city and also the appointment to the Palazzo Pamphilj. Platner was later succeeded by his pupil G. C. Gigli. While previously considered a pupil of D. Tecchler, sources note similarities in the Tyrolean style of both makers. Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers suggests he was probably a Swiss and was working in Rome in 1747. Instruments bear labels such as "Michael Platner 1733" and "Michael Platner fecit / Romæ Anno 1747 [Lebet]."

Craft

• Workmanship: John Dilworth notes that Platner's workmanship is a little less refined, stiffer, and less expressive compared to D. Tecchler, yet Cecie Stainer states his instruments show "very fair workmanship." George Hart's The Violin mentions that his instruments resemble those of Tecchler in both workmanship and varnish.
• Model: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart indicates he sometimes worked after Andrea Guarneri, but mostly used a highly arched model. Cecie Stainer also describes his instruments as "rather arched."
• Soundholes: According to John Dilworth, the soundholes are set widely, low, and upright in a very Germanic style.
• Scrolls: John Dilworth describes the scrolls as neatly cut and concentric, featuring a deep, narrow throat. Cecie Stainer notes the scroll is "veil cut," and Lütgendorff particularly praises his scrolls as "besonders schon."
• Varnish: John Dilworth mentions a fine golden-brown or orange varnish. Cecie Stainer describes it as a "golden-red colour," and Lütgendorff as "goldgelb."

Influence

• Mentorship: (Domenico) Michele Platner was a pupil of his father, Alberto Platner.
• Stylistic Influence: He was previously considered a pupil of D. Tecchler, and John Dilworth notes similarities in their Tyrolean style. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests he was probably a countryman of D. Tecchler, to whom he is very similar in his work.
• Model Influence: Lütgendorff also states that Platner sometimes worked after Andrea Guarneri.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He inherited his father's workshop in the Pigna district of Rome, Italy.
• Appointments: He held an appointment to the Palazzo Pamphilj.
• Instruments Produced: His extant instruments include cellos, lutes, pochettes, and viols. His cellos, made on a small pattern, are rare but greatly appreciated.