Charles Francois Gand

History

Charles François Gand (1787-1845) was born on August 5, 1787, in Versailles, France, and passed away on May 10, 1845, in Paris. Known as 'Gand père', he was the son of Charles Michel Gand. He began his training in 1802, apprenticing with Nicolas Lupot in Paris, where he remained for four years. According to John Dilworth, he returned to his father's workshop in Versailles in 1810, while Cecie Stainer notes his return in July 1806. In 1810, he established his own business in Paris at 5, rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. By 1820, he acquired the business of Koliker at No. 24 on the same street, where he continued his work until his death. He married Lupot's adopted daughter and, upon Lupot's death in 1824, succeeded to his esteemed business. Gand completed a set of instruments for the Royal Orchestra that Lupot had left unfinished, comprising six violins, three violas, five violoncellos, and four double-basses between 1824 and 1828. Sadly, these instruments were destroyed in a fire at the Tuileries in 1871. He was appointed luthier to the Royal Court and the Paris Conservatoire. Some sources, including John Dilworth, rank him as a serious rival to both Lupot and Vuillaume as a luthier. Charles François Gand had two sons, Charles Adolphe and Charles Nicolas Eugene, both of whom also became makers.

Craft

• Models: Charles François Gand produced wonderful work on Stradivari models, and several Brescian copies are also extant.
• Construction: On some instruments, the fronts were made of three pieces, with the middle section bent from flat stock. These are generally not considered as successful tonally and are less sought-after, according to John Dilworth.
• Varnish: His instruments featured beautifully shaded varnish, described by Cecie Stainer as brilliant red-brown and rather thick in quality.
• Soundholes: He was known for rather open soundholes.
• Workmanship: He followed in Lupot's footsteps, making his instruments with the same care and ability, never letting an instrument leave his shop that was not entirely made by his own hands, as noted by Cecie Stainer. George Hart describes his instruments as well-made, though heavy in appearance, and good serviceable instruments where the wood was not browned by baking or other injurious processes, allowing age to mellow them greatly. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff considered him unsurpassed in diligence and artistic execution.
• Repair Expertise: Gand obtained a high reputation as a repairer of the works of great masters, perhaps restoring more valuable instruments than any other repairer of his time, according to George Hart. He possessed great knowledge of Italian work, which made him especially skillful in repairing old instruments. Hart highlights his exceptional care and judgment in bringing together broken parts, closing splintered cracks, and deftly inserting pieces so that their presence was often undetectable.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Charles François Gand was apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot in 1802, remaining with him for four years. George Hart notes that he proved himself an excellent maker during this time and was much valued by his famous instructor.
• Family Workshop: He worked with his father, Charles Michel Gand, in Versailles, returning to his workshop around 1806 or 1810.
• Successor to Lupot: He married Lupot's adopted daughter and succeeded to Lupot's business in 1824, following his mentor's methods and standards of craftsmanship.

Legacy

• Official Appointments: He was appointed luthier to the Royal Court and the Paris Conservatoire.
• Prize Instruments: As 'Luthier du Conservatoire', he made violins and violoncellos that were given as prizes to the pupils of the Paris Conservatoire.
• Family Continuity: His legacy was continued by his two sons, Charles Adolphe and Charles Nicolas Eugene, both of whom became violin makers.

Further Information

• Early Workshop (Lupot's): 'Gand, chez Lupot, / rue de Grammont, 1805'
• Versailles Workshop: 'Ch. f. Gand fils / Luthier à Versailles, 1807'
• Paris Workshop (Koliker's acquisition): 'Gand, Luthier breveté / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 24 / Paris.'
• Paris Workshop (Koliker's successor): 'Ch. F. Gand, élève de Lupot / successeur du sieur Koliker / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 5 / Paris 1810'
• Paris Workshop (Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs): 'Ch. f. Gand, Elève de N. Lupot / Luthier, rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs No. 12, à Paris / an 1812'
• Paris Workshop (Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs): 'Gand, Luthier, élève de Lupot / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs No. 24 / Paris 1820 à 1824'
• Official Title (Royal Music & Royal School of Music): 'Gand, Luthier de la Musique / du Roi et de l'École Royale / de Musique. / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs / à Paris'
• Official Title (Conservatoire): 'Gand, Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. 1835'
• Official Title (Royal Music & Conservatoire): 'Gand, Luthier de la Musique du Roi / et du Conservatoire de Musique / Paris 18..'

Summary

Charles François Gand (1787-1845) was a highly esteemed French luthier, born in Versailles and active primarily in Paris. He apprenticed with Nicolas Lupot, whose adopted daughter he later married, eventually succeeding to Lupot's prominent business in 1824. Gand was known for his exceptional craftsmanship, producing instruments on Stradivari models with beautifully shaded, thick red-brown varnish and rather open soundholes. He was also renowned for his unparalleled skill in repairing antique instruments, demonstrating a deep understanding of Italian work. Appointed luthier to the Royal Court and the Paris Conservatoire, he made prize instruments for students and was considered a significant rival to his contemporaries, Lupot and Vuillaume. His legacy continued through his two sons, who also became makers.