Alessandro D’Espine

History

Alessandro D'Espine (1782-1855) was born in 1782 in Plainpalais, Geneva, Switzerland, and died in 1855 in Pinerolo, near Turin, Italy. He was an important founder member of the later Turin school, with his very classically influenced work appearing from 1815. D'Espine belonged to an aristocratic family and, along with his brother, served as a dental surgeon appointed to King Carlo Felice from 1820 to 1831. In 1816, he was mentioned in the notebooks compiled by Count Cozio di Salabue, and it appears that he was then a pupil of Gaetano Guadagnini, who varnished D'Espine's work for him during this early period. He was absent from Turin between 1832 and 1851, possibly due to obligations in his professional life as a dentist, and later moved to Pinerolo, some 40 km to the south-west of Turin, where he died. His work is highly celebrated and valued, though it is the rarest of the admirable 19th-century Turin school, a fact attributed by John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers to his concurrent career as the King's dentist. The connection between instrument making and dentistry was not unique, as the 18th-century English maker William Pryor also advertised services as a maker of false teeth.

Craft

• Workmanship: His workmanship is very fine, characterized by a strong outline and very classically proportioned forms derived from Stradivari.
• Soundholes: Some of his instruments show modest Guarnerian inflections in the treatment of the soundholes.
• Edges & Corners: Instruments feature broad flat edges and rather short corners.
• Materials: Materials used are generally of first quality.
• Varnish: The varnish is variable; it can occasionally be thick, dark, and oily, but more often it is thin and close to the wood, appearing red or red-brown in colour.
• Label: An example of his label reads: "Alessandrus d'Espine fecit / Taurini anno Domini 1828".

Influence

• Teacher: In the early period, he was a pupil of Gaetano Guadagnini, who varnished D'Espine's work for him.
• Assistance: He later received assistance from J. F. Pressenda.
• Models: His work is primarily based on careful interpretations of Stradivari models.

Legacy

• Reputation: His work is highly celebrated and valued.
• School Affiliation: He is considered an important founder member of the later Turin school.
• Rarity: His instruments are the rarest of the admirable 19th-century Turin school.

Further Information

• Birthplace: Plainpalais, Geneva, Switzerland.
• Deathplace: Pinerolo, near Turin, Italy.
• Other Career: He served as a dental surgeon appointed to King Carlo Felice from 1820 to 1831.
• Historical Mention: He is mentioned in the notebooks compiled by Count Cozio di Salabue in 1816.
• Absence from Turin: He was absent from Turin between 1832 and 1851.
• Label Text: "Alessandrus d'Espine fecit / Taurini anno Domini 1828".

Summary

Alessandro D'Espine (1782-1855) was an important founder member of the later Turin school, known for his classically influenced instruments derived from Stradivari models. He was also a dental surgeon to King Carlo Felice and a pupil of Gaetano Guadagnini. His work is highly celebrated and valued, yet rare, characterized by fine workmanship, quality materials, and variable red or red-brown varnish.