Nicola Gagliano

History

Nicola Gagliano (circa 1730-1787), the son of Alessandro Gagliano, worked in Naples, Italy. Sources contain conflicting information about his life dates; John Dilworth states he worked circa 1730 and died in 1787, while Cecie Stainer indicates he was born about 1675 and died about 1745 in Naples. He was more prolific than his brother Gennaro, and according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, he was considerably more talented than his father, Alessandro. George Hart notes that his violins and violoncellos were crafted with care and displayed a degree of originality.

Craft

• Workmanship: Nicola Gagliano's work, though sometimes inconsistent in quality, often exhibits great distinction, as noted by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer describes his instruments as smaller and narrower, with work superior to that of his father.
• Model & Arching: He produced instruments with bold and well-proportioned archings. His models were high, and he generally imitated the Stradivari models, particularly those from the master's earlier periods, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Cecie Stainer specifies that he cleverly copied the Stradivari pattern in outline, thicknesses, and arching. George Hart adds that his instruments were not patterned after his father's, but rather resembled earlier Stradivari works that fall between the true "Amatese" and the long form.
• Materials: He often utilized maple with a very strongly marked grain, a characteristic seen in the work of most subsequent members of the Gagliano family. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions his use of very beautiful wood, typically leaving the tops very strong and making the backs slightly weaker at the sides.
• Varnish: The varnish on his instruments could vary from a plain, rather thin golden-yellow to a brilliant red, laid over a good reflective ground. Cecie Stainer describes his varnish as very transparent and rather deep in color, contributing to a very brilliant tone. George Hart notes that his varnish was of a deeper color than Alessandro's and of comparable quality. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes the varnish as reddish-brown or brownish-yellow.
• Scrolls: His scrolls have a distinctive elongated pegbox and a small, tight spiral. Cecie Stainer generally describes the scroll as well-cut, though George Hart observes that they could sometimes be well-formed and at other times somewhat grotesque.
• Soundholes: The soundholes are very Stradivarian in style and are set quite close to the edge.
• Purfling & Ornamentation: Nicola Gagliano instigated the typical Gagliano purfling, made of beech wood with stained paper outer strips, which commonly causes a distinctive crazing in the varnish above it. Some instruments feature added decorative inlay around the edges and ribs, somewhat in the manner of decorated Stradivari violins. Cecie Stainer notes that around the purfling, there was sometimes an ornamentation of diamond and lozenge-shaped pieces of ebony, a detail also mentioned by George Hart. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff confirms that the inlays were executed with care and taste. He also sometimes copied the Maggini design on the center of the back of his violins.
• Labels: His own labels often read: "Nicolaus Gagliano Filius / Alexandri fecit Neap. 17.." or "Nicolaii Gagliano, fecit in Napoli, 1711." An additional label with a religious dedication is often found fixed to the upper rib's inner surface. Cecie Stainer also notes that a certain number of his instruments contain spurious labels of Stradivari. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff mentions that in most Gagliani violins that have not been opened, a label with an inscription can be found inside at the neck joint.
• Instrument Types: He made a great many violins, violas, and violoncellos, with the latter being especially good and featuring a fine, rich varnish not often seen on other Gagliano family instruments.

Influence

• Family Lineage: Nicola Gagliano was the son of Alessandro Gagliano.
• Stylistic Influences: He skillfully copied the pattern of Stradivari, both in outline, thicknesses, and arching. His instruments were not patterned after his father's, but rather resembled earlier Stradivari works. He also occasionally copied the Maggini design on the center of the back of his violins.

Legacy

• Reputation: Nicola Gagliano is generally considered the most admired and sought-after maker of the Gagliano family.
• Family Continuity: He had four sons who all became makers: Ferdinando, Giuseppe, Antonio, and Giovanni.

Further Information

• Working Period & Location: He worked in Naples, Italy. John Dilworth states he worked circa 1730 and died in 1787. Cecie Stainer indicates he was born about 1675 and died about 1745.

Summary

Nicola Gagliano, son of Alessandro Gagliano, was a prolific Neapolitan violin maker active from approximately 1730 to 1787, though sources provide conflicting dates for his birth and death. He is widely regarded as the most admired and sought-after maker of his family. His craftsmanship, often superior to his father's, was characterized by a clever imitation of Stradivari's models, bold archings, and a distinctive Gagliano purfling. He used beautiful, often strongly grained maple, and his varnish varied from golden-yellow to brilliant red. Nicola Gagliano's legacy includes his four sons, all of whom became instrument makers.