Georges Cunault

History

Georges Cunault (1856-1941) was born in Paris in 1856 and passed away in Villemomble, France, in 1941. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the exact dates of his early career. According to John Dilworth, Cunault worked for Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont from 1874 to 1882. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that he was a student of Sebastien Vuillaume from 1872 to 1873 and of Miremont from 1873 to 1880. Cecie Stainer corroborates that he worked with Miremont from 1874 to 1882. From 1880 to 1882, he worked from his apartment for various masters, including E. Germain, according to Lütgendorff. He established his own workshop in 1880, though his first public workshop opened in 1882 at 53 Faubourg Poissonnière. He subsequently relocated his workshop to several addresses in Paris: 29 rue des Martyrs in 1884, 6 rue Clauzel in 1889, and then to the Rue de Navarin. Sources differ on the initial Rue de Navarin address, with Dilworth listing 31 rue Navarin in 1893 and Lütgendorff listing 21 rue de Navarin in 1893, before finally settling at 19 rue Navarin. In 1915, Cunault relocated his operations to Villemomble.

Craft

• Quality: His violins are often of large size but are noted for their very fine quality, as described by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer further notes that his instruments demonstrate experience and careful work.
• Models: Georges Cunault copied all the great masters and also possessed a self-designed model, which was characterized by its great fullness, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. John Dilworth specifically mentions his use of a Stradivari model.
• Varnish: His instruments typically feature a shaded red-brown varnish.

Influence

• Mentorship: Georges Cunault was a student of Sebastien Vuillaume from 1872 to 1873 and worked with Miremont from 1873 to 1880, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer state he worked for Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont from 1874 to 1882.
• Collaborations: From 1880 to 1882, while working from his apartment, he also worked for other masters such as E. Germain.

Legacy

• Awards: Georges Cunault received a 'Mention honorable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878, where he was recognized as a collaborateur.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Georges Cunault's workshop occupied several addresses in Paris, including 53 Faubourg Poissonnière (from 1882), 29 rue des Martyrs (from 1884), 6 rue Clauzel (from 1889), and various locations on Rue de Navarin, specifically 31 rue Navarin (1893, per Dilworth), 21 rue de Navarin (1893, per Lütgendorff), and finally 19 rue Navarin. He relocated to Villemomble in 1915.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / Rue Clauzel 6. Paris / An 1893" and "G. C. Georges Cunault / Luthier / 21 Rue de Navarin. Paris - An 1908."

Summary

Georges Cunault (1856-1941) was a Parisian luthier known for his fine quality violins, often of large size, featuring a shaded red-brown varnish. He trained with Sebastien Vuillaume and Miremont, and later established his own workshop in Paris, relocating several times before moving to Villemomble in 1915. Cunault copied various master models and also developed his own design characterized by great fullness. He received a 'Mention honorable' at the Paris Exhibition in 1878.