Jean Gosselin

History

Jean Gosselin worked in Paris, France, from approximately 1814 to 1851, having been born in Bordeaux. He was initially an amateur maker, though some labels later identified him as a luthier. Sources contain conflicting information regarding the value of his work; Cecie Stainer described his work as 'little known and little valued,' while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff noted that his instruments were 'geschätzt' (valued) and reached prices up to 800 Marks. John Dilworth suggests that some instruments bearing his name might have been made by other Parisian or Mirecourtian craftsmen.

Craft

• Instruments: He made violins, altos, and violoncellos.
• Model: His instruments were made after the Stradivari model.
• Wood: He frequently used a speckled wood or bird's-eye maple for the back and sides, which gave his instruments a peculiar or personal character.
• Workmanship: His workmanship is described as ordinary by Cecie Stainer, but as careful by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and as neat, elegant, and refined by John Dilworth.
• Varnish: He used a good varnish of red and yellow color, or fine golden-orange or red varnish.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Fait par Gosselin, amateur Paris, annee 1826," "Fait par Gosselin, luthier, Paris, annee 1830," "fait par Gofselin amateur / Paris /Année 1821," "Repare par Gofselin, Paris / 1827," "Gosselin à Paris 1851," and "26e violon / fait par Gosselin Amateur / Paris 1828, 'Baptiser le tigre'."

Influence

• Mentorship: He learned a great deal from Koliker and was closely befriended and instructed by him in Paris.

Legacy

• Value: His instruments were valued and, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, reached prices up to 800 Marks.
• Family: He was the father of two famous dancers of his time.

Further Information

• Working Period & Location: He worked in Paris, France, from approximately 1814 to 1851.
• Labels: Specific labels found on his instruments include "Fait par Gosselin, amateur Paris, annee 1826," "Fait par Gosselin, luthier, Paris, annee 1830," "fait par Gofselin amateur / Paris /Année 1821," "Repare par Gofselin, Paris / 1827," "Gosselin à Paris 1851," and "26e violon / fait par Gosselin Amateur / Paris 1828, 'Baptiser le tigre'."

Summary

Jean Gosselin was a luthier who worked in Paris, France, from approximately 1814 to 1851, having been born in Bordeaux. Initially an amateur, he later identified as a luthier, crafting violins, altos, and violoncellos after the Stradivari model. He was known for using speckled wood or bird's-eye maple and a good red and yellow, or golden-orange/red varnish. Gosselin was closely befriended and instructed by Koliker in Paris. While some sources describe his work as 'little known and little valued,' others note his instruments were 'geschätzt' (valued) and reached prices up to 800 Marks. He was also the father of two famous dancers.