Nicolo Bianchi

History

Nicolo Bianchi (1803-1881) was born in 1803 in Albisola Superiore, Savona, Italy, and died in 1881 in Nice, France. He worked in Aix-en-Provence from 1844 and was established in Paris by 1851, operating from the Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs starting in 1860. Around 1868, he moved to Genoa, and finally settled in Nice in 1872. He retired in 1877, at which point F. Praga took over his business, though the shop was later bequeathed to F. Bovis in his will. John Dilworth notes that while Bianchi is associated in most dictionaries with Pressenda, Ceruti, and Guadagnini in Turin, this "does not appear to fit with his known circumstances," although there is "strong evidence of a working involvement with other makers in Turin." His early life in Genoa, between 1796 and 1851, may have brought him into contact with Giuseppe Rocca of Turin, who concluded his career in Genoa around 1850-1860. Pierre Pacharel, who also worked in Turin, died in Nice the year before Bianchi's arrival there. Blot points out the resemblance of an early violin by Bianchi to the work of L. Rastelli. He was highly regarded as a maker, repairer, and connoisseur, despite relatively few of his instruments being widely known.

Craft

• Models: Bianchi crafted instruments on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models.
• Varnish: His instruments often featured artificially aged shaded varnish, described as a fine rich orange-red.
• Instruments: He produced violins, cellos on various models, and beautifully decorated viola d'amores.
• Workmanship: Cecie Stainer notes that his instruments show excellent work and bear comparison with those of good modern makers.
• Labels: Known labels include "Nicolò Bianchi Réparé par / Bianchi Nicolò / luthier décoré / à Paris, 1851" and "Bianchi N. Liuttista / 1870 Genova" as cited by Blot.

Influence

• Training and Associations: Sources contain conflicting information regarding his early training. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states he worked with Bagatella, F. Calcagni, Cerutti, and Pressenda. Cecie Stainer identifies him as a pupil of Ceruti in Cremona, and Guadagnini and Pressenda in Turin. However, John Dilworth suggests that his association with Pressenda, Ceruti, and Guadagnini "does not appear to fit with his known circumstances," though he acknowledges "strong evidence of a working involvement with other makers in Turin."
• Mentorship: He taught Scarampella in his workshop in Paris in 1862.
• Employees: F. Bovis was employed by Bianchi from 1874, and F. Praga took over the business in 1877.

Legacy

• Reputation: Nicolo Bianchi was highly regarded as a maker, repairer, and connoisseur. He was particularly esteemed as a repairer, notably restoring Caspar da Salò's bass viola in the Museum of the Paris Conservatoire.
• Succession: F. Praga took over his business in 1877 upon Bianchi's retirement, and the shop was later bequeathed to F. Bovis in his will. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies Bovis as his pupil and successor.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Bianchi's workshops were located in Aix-en-Provence (from 1844), Paris (by 1851, at Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs from 1860), Genoa (c.1868), and Nice (from 1872).
• Distinction: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff advises that Nicolo Bianchi should not be confused with members of the Bianchi family.

Summary

Nicolo Bianchi (1803-1881) was an Italian luthier born in Albisola Superiore, known for his work across France and Italy. He established workshops in Aix-en-Provence, Paris (Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs), Genoa, and Nice, where he ultimately died. Bianchi was highly regarded as a maker, repairer, and connoisseur, crafting instruments on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models, often featuring a distinctive rich orange-red varnish. He taught Scarampella in Paris and employed F. Bovis and F. Praga, who later took over his business. While his early training is subject to conflicting accounts, he maintained a significant presence in the European lutherie scene.