Giuseppe Guadagnini

History

Giuseppe Guadagnini (1753-1805), also known as 'il Soldate', was the second son of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his birth year; John Dilworth states he was born in 1753 in Milan, while Cecie Stainer indicates he was born about 1736. He died in 1805 in Pavia, Italy. He began his career as a pupil and assistant to his father in Turin, working alongside his brothers Gaetano, Carlo, and Fillippo. He left the family business in Turin sometime before 1782 to work independently. He worked in Pavia around 1780-1781, then in Como and Milan, before returning to Pavia. George Hart notes that he ultimately settled in Pavia, Lombardy, where he made a great number of instruments. Cecie Stainer also mentions he worked at Milan, Como, and Parma around 1793. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff places him in Parma in 1760, Como in 1763, and Pavia in 1790. Lütgendorff also states that he eventually fell into decline.

Craft

• Style: Giuseppe Guadagnini's style is described by John Dilworth as a little rustic but imbued with great personality, reflecting some of his father's work. George Hart notes that the work and character of his instruments varied.
• Models: He made a quantity of violins, altos, and violoncellos. His models were generally based on Stradivari, with some instances where the sound-holes partook of the character of Giuseppe Guarneri. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes his models as flat and broad.
• Construction Details: His instruments generally feature prominent outward-pointing upper corners. The scroll is described as a little Storioni-like, with an extended last turn and small chamfers. He also loved double purfling.
• Varnish: The varnish is typically orange-brown to pale golden-amber. George Hart notes that his varnish was inferior to that of his predecessors.
• Wood: The wood used was often hard and plain.
• Tone: Sources contain conflicting information regarding the tone of his instruments. Cecie Stainer and George Hart state that his instruments generally have a good tone, while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggests he was less successful with the tone.

Influence

• Mentorship: Giuseppe Guadagnini was a pupil and assistant to his father, Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.
• Family Workshop: He worked alongside his brothers Gaetano, Carlo, and Fillippo in his father's business in Turin.
• Design Influences: He built instruments following the patterns of Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri.

Legacy

• Market Value: Cecie Stainer notes that his work was much inferior to that of his father, and consequently, his instruments have less market value.
• Notable Instruments: The Kölner Conservatorium der Musik (Cologne Conservatory of Music) possesses a good violin by him.
• Historical Valuation: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that his best works still reached prices up to 2200 M (Marks).

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Giuseppe Guadagnini worked independently in Pavia (c.1780-1781, 1790), Como (1763, 178.), Milan, and Parma (1760, c.1793).
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "Joseph Guadagnini Cremonensis / fecit Papiae anno 1790", "Giuseppe Guadagnini / filio di Giov.Battista", "Giuseppe Guadagnini fil. / Johannes Battista Parmae 1768", and "Giuseppe Guadagnino Figlio di Giovanni / Battista fece in Como nella Contrada di / Porta Sala 178."
• Internal Markings: Besides his labels, the letters "S. J. F. (?) SS. S. GG. F. P." can sometimes be found next to the bar.

Summary

Giuseppe Guadagnini (1753-1805), also known as 'il Soldate', was the second son and pupil of the renowned Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. He worked in various Italian cities including Turin, Pavia, Como, Milan, and Parma, eventually settling in Pavia. His instruments, which include violins, altos, and violoncellos, are characterized by a rustic yet personal style, often following Stradivari and Guarneri patterns. While his work is considered distinct from his father's, his instruments are noted for their good tone and unique construction details, such as prominent upper corners and a Storioni-like scroll.