Enrico Ceruti

History

Enrico Ceruti (1806-1883) was born in 1806 and died in 1883 in Cremona, Italy, as the son and pupil of Giuseppe Ceruti, according to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers. His earliest work was likely produced with his father around 1840. By 1851, he had become a prolific and successful maker in his own right, establishing his workshop at 14 via Borgo Spera. George Hart, in The Violin, notes that Enrico Ceruti was the last in the long line of Cremonese violin-makers, holding a peculiar interest due to his role as a recipient of the traditional history passed down from Amati to Stradivari and Bergonzi, and from Bergonzi to Storioni and Ceruti. He was acquainted with Luigi Tarisio and Vuillaume, to whom he provided many interesting details concerning the great makers of his native city. Ceruti submitted his work to numerous international exhibitions, including London in 1851, 1862, and 1870, Cremona in 1863, Vienna in 1873, and Milan in 1881, where he won several important medals. His last violin was exhibited in Milan in 1881.

Craft

• Style: Enrico Ceruti's instruments exhibited a slightly more classical style compared to those of his father, Giuseppe Ceruti, as noted by John Dilworth.
• Varnish: He utilized a lighter orange-red varnish.
• Materials: Ceruti was known for a better selection of timber in his instruments.
• Valued Instruments: His cellos are particularly valued, and his work is generally considered good and valuable, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff's Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart and Cecie Stainer's A Dictionary of Violin Makers.
• Output: Sources contain conflicting information regarding the total number of instruments made; George Hart and Cecie Stainer state he made about 365 instruments, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests around 400.

Influence

• Mentorship: Enrico Ceruti was the son and pupil of Giuseppe Ceruti.
• Tradition: He was a recipient of the traditional history of Cremonese violin-making, connecting him to masters such as Amati, Stradivari, Bergonzi, and Storioni, as detailed by George Hart.
• Associations: He was acquainted with prominent figures like Luigi Tarisio and Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, sharing historical particulars of Cremonese makers with them.

Legacy

• Awards: Enrico Ceruti won several important medals at international exhibitions, including silver medals at London in 1851 and 1870, and a gold medal at Cremona in 1863, according to Cecie Stainer.
• Reputation: His instruments are highly valued, especially by Italian orchestral players, as mentioned by George Hart and Cecie Stainer.
• Historical Significance: He is recognized as the last in the long line of traditional Cremonese violin-makers.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Enrico Ceruti's workshop was located at 14 via Borgo Spera in Cremona.
• Label: An example of his label includes "Enricus Ceruti fecit / Cremonæ anno 1870" and the initials "E. F. C."

Summary

Enrico Ceruti (1806-1883) was a significant Cremonese violin-maker, son and pupil of Giuseppe Ceruti, who continued the family's legacy at his workshop at 14 via Borgo Spera. Recognized as the last in the long line of traditional Cremonese makers, he was a prolific craftsman by 1851, producing an estimated 365 to 400 instruments, including highly valued cellos. His work, characterized by a more classical style, lighter orange-red varnish, and better timber selection, earned him several medals at international exhibitions, including London, Cremona, Vienna, and Milan. Ceruti was also a custodian of Cremonese violin-making history, sharing insights with figures like Luigi Tarisio and Vuillaume, and his instruments remain highly regarded by Italian orchestral players.