Francois (II) Lupot

History

François (II) Lupot (1774-1838) was born in 1774 in Orleans, France. Sources contain conflicting information about his death date; The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers by John Dilworth states he died in 1838 in Paris, France, while A Dictionary of Violin Makers by Cecie Stainer indicates he died on February 4, 1837, in Paris. He was the younger son and pupil of François Lupot (I). François (II) Lupot initially began his career as a violin maker, though his talent in this area was considered unexceptional. He remained in Orleans for a short period after his father and brother relocated to Paris. Upon joining them in Paris, he encountered F. Tourte. Following his father's death in 1804, he increasingly specialized in bow making and may have worked as an assistant to L. Tourte. He established his independent workshop in 1815 at 18 rue d'Angevilliers, where he focused exclusively on bow making until his death.

Craft

• Violin Making: François (II) Lupot's violins were considered to be of unexceptional talent, or "less good," according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.
• Bow Making Specialization: He became primarily renowned as a bow maker.
• Innovation: He initiated the "coulisse," also known as an underslide or metal groove, which is attached to the top face of the frog and bears on the stick, a useful contrivance that has been in use ever since.
• Refinement: From 1830, his bow work became further refined, transitioning from octagonal sticks to generally round sticks with more delicate detailing.
• Materials: Gold mounts were very rare in his work, as he preferred nickel silver.
• Branding: After 1820, he branded his bows under the lapping with "LUPOT" in two different sizes, sometimes adding "A PARIS."
• Violin Label: His violin label read: "François Lupot, Luthier / Élève de Antonius Stradivarius / Rue de Gramont à Paris l’an 1798." However, Lütgendorff notes that this claim of being a pupil of Stradivari was inaccurate, even if interpreted as a spiritual mentorship.
• Style: His beautiful bows were closely copied from the Tourte bow.

Influence

• Mentorship: He was a pupil of his father, François Lupot (I).
• Artistic Influence: He was influenced by bows made by 'Lolli'.
• Professional Encounters: He evidently encountered F. Tourte in Paris.
• Collaboration: He may have worked as an assistant to L. Tourte.
• Assistants: In his later period, he was assisted by J. R. Lafleur and D. Peccatte.

Legacy

• Succession: D. Peccatte succeeded to his workshop in 1837.
• Enduring Appeal: His bows are still much liked today.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: From 1815, his independent workshop was located at 18 rue d'Angevilliers in Paris.
• Branding Details: His bows were branded "LUPOT," sometimes with "A PARIS" added, and the branding appeared under the lapping after 1820.
• Material Preference: He generally preferred nickel silver for mounts over gold.

Summary

François (II) Lupot (1774-1838) was a prominent French bow maker, the younger son and pupil of François Lupot (I). Initially a violin maker of limited talent, he transitioned to specializing in bow making after his father's death in 1804, establishing his own workshop in Paris in 1815. He is credited with inventing the "coulisse" or underslide for the bow frog and refined his work from 1830, favoring round sticks and delicate detailing. His bows, often branded "LUPOT," were influenced by Tourte and are still highly regarded.