Fedele Barnia

History

Fedele Barnia was born in Milan and later settled in Venice, Italy, where he is cited by John Dilworth as working between approximately 1745 and 1780. According to Cecie Stainer, he was born in Milan and settled in Venice. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also states that he originated from Milan. John Dilworth records labels bearing his name dated 1770 and 1750, specifically "Fedele Barnia Milanese / fece in Venezia, l'anno 1770" and "Fedele Barnia Milanese / fece in Venezia 1750". Lütgendorff notes that Vidal's reading of a date as 1715 is likely an error, suggesting it should probably be 1775.

Craft

• Instruments: Fedele Barnia is known for producing violins, a theorbo, a mandore, and a small violoncello.
• Workmanship: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes him as a skilled master, though his work often exhibited a craftsman-like quality, leading to uneven value in his violins. Lütgendorff suggests that Barnia's best work occurred when he adhered to good models; when he was original, his pieces were considered "unschön" (unbeautiful). He was not considered an artist in carving scrolls and did not consistently pay careful attention to wood selection or inlays, except for his mandolins.
• Varnish: Cecie Stainer notes that a small violoncello by Barnia featured a yellow varnish that was somewhat transparent. Lütgendorff also describes his varnish as transparent yellow.
• Inlay Work: Lütgendorff highlights that Barnia dedicated more effort to inlay work on his mandolins, exemplified by a beautiful theorbo in the Gautier collection in Nice.
• Style: John Dilworth records one violin by Barnia as being in the style of P. Guarneri of Venice.

Influence

• Mentorship: Sources contain conflicting information regarding Fedele Barnia's potential mentorship. Cecie Stainer states he was "Probably a pupil of Pietro Guarneri." However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that while De Piccolellis believed Barnia might have been a pupil of Pietro Guarneri due to a violin built in Guarneri's style, Lütgendorff disagrees with this assessment, citing Barnia's transparent yellow varnish as evidence against it.
• School: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff observes that Fedele Barnia's work reminds one somewhat of the Milanese school.

Further Information

• Label Inscriptions: John Dilworth records two label inscriptions: "Fedele Barnia Milanese / fece in Venezia, l'anno 1770" and "Fedele Barnia Milanese / fece in Venezia 1750".
• Notable Instruments: A beautiful theorbo by Fedele Barnia is part of the Gautier collection in Nice. A small violoncello by him is also known, noted for its accurate proportions.

Summary

Fedele Barnia was a luthier born in Milan who established his workshop in Venice, active from approximately 1745 to 1780. He produced violins, theorbos, mandores, and violoncellos. While considered a skilled master, his violin craftsmanship could be uneven, with his best work often adhering to established models. He was noted for his transparent yellow varnish and for dedicating particular attention to inlay work on his mandolins and theorbos. There is conflicting information regarding whether he was a pupil of Pietro Guarneri, though some of his violins show stylistic similarities to Guarneri's work.