Antonio (I) Bagatella

John Dilworth

BAGATELLA. Antonio (I) Born 1716, died 1806 Padua Italy. Fine maker in the Amati style with particularly fine orange-red varnish, pretty model and well-regulated scroll. Author of Regole per la costruzione de’ violini- viole- violoncelli e violoni, published in Padua in 1782, one of the earliest treatises on the subject. His informants are not known, but many Tyrolean luthiers were active in Padua in the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. In the essay he states that he was self-taught and had completed his researches in 1748, having been active as a maker since the age of 20. He was guided in his work by the violinist Tartini, an associate for 30 years, who died in Padua in 1770. Geographically very close to Venice, Paduan makers would also have been strongly influenced by that school of work, and hints of Montagnana and Serafin can be detected in the craftsmanship of Bagatella’s instruments. Presumed to be the teacher of Giovanni Danieli, although he is critical of Danieli’s work in the treatise. Label: Antonius Bagatella delectans / fecit Pavia Anno 17.. Antonius Bagatella / delectans fecit Patarii Antonio Bagatella / fece Padova 1748 Antonio Bagoletto / in Padua 1782