Gaetano (I) Guadagnini

History

Gaetano Francesco Lorenzo (I) Guadagnini (1750-1817) was born in 1750 in Milan, Italy, and died in 1817 in Turin, Italy. He was the son, pupil, and successor of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. According to John Dilworth's The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he preceded his father from Parma to Turin in 1771, with the family joining him soon after. He worked as his father's chief assistant alongside his brothers Filippo and Carlo until Giovanni Battista's death in 1786. During this period, he handled some of the extensive correspondence with Count Cozio di Salabue. Thereafter, he worked with Carlo as 'Fratelli Guadagnini', making guitars and gaining a fine reputation as violin repairers and restorers. George Hart, in The Violin, notes that while Gaetano (I) was both a maker and repairer of violins, his abilities were mainly exercised in the latter capacity. Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, also states that he made few new instruments, but chiefly repaired old ones.

Craft

• Workmanship: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, describes his violins as very well-made, possessing beautiful wood, yellow-brown varnish, and excellent sound.
• Instrument Focus: He made few new instruments, primarily focusing on repairing and restoring old ones, as noted by Cecie Stainer and George Hart. He also made guitars, particularly towards the end of his career, as mentioned by Lütgendorff and John Dilworth.

Influence

• Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.
• Collaborations: He worked as his father's chief assistant alongside his brothers Filippo and Carlo. After his father's death, he collaborated with his brother Carlo under the name 'Fratelli Guadagnini'.

Legacy

• Succession: Upon his death, the business passed to his nephew, Gaetano (II), who was the son of Carlo.
• Valuation: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his violins were valued at 3000 Marks in trade.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Parma, and Turin, Italy.
• Label Usage: He continued to use his father's label in his own early works up to approximately 1799. An example label provided by John Dilworth reads: 'Gaetano Guadagnini / J. B. Guadagnini Filius / Taurini fecit 1775'.

Summary

Gaetano Francesco Lorenzo (I) Guadagnini (1750-1817) was an Italian luthier, born in Milan and active in Turin. He was the son, pupil, and successor of the renowned Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. He initially assisted his father and later worked with his brother Carlo as 'Fratelli Guadagnini'. While he made some violins, noted for their fine workmanship, beautiful wood, and yellow-brown varnish, he primarily focused on violin repair and restoration, and also made guitars. His business was eventually passed to his nephew, Gaetano (II).