Emile Mennesson

History

Emile Mennesson (1842-1920) was born on March 15, 1842, in Rheims, France, where he later died in 1920. He began his career in 1865 as a piano maker and music dealer, but his inclination and talent increasingly drew him towards violin making, a craft he fully dedicated himself to from 1874. Mennesson worked in Paris before being employed by Martin and Joseph Guarini in Mirecourt. Between 1876 and 1881, he established his own extensive workshop in Mirecourt, subsequently taking over the Guarini business and utilizing the name as a professional trademark for his high-quality commercial instruments. He was highly successful, producing over 3,000 violins, violas, and cellos under the Guarini label. His firm later became known as Emile Mennesson & Fils, successeurs, and his shop sign was 'à Ste Cécile'.

Craft

• Models: Instruments were mostly modelled on Stradivari forms, with violins specifically based on the 1716 Stradivari 'Messie' violin.
• Varnish: His instruments featured red or yellow-red varnish. Cecie Stainer notes that the varnish was initially red, later transitioning to yellow-red with an amber ground.
• Materials: Mennesson utilized beautiful old wood in his constructions.
• Workmanship: He applied particular care to the varnishing process, incorporating the results of chemical experiments by Gery.
• Inventions: Mennesson is credited as the inventor of the 'Molliphone'.
• Labels: Examples of his labels include "E. M. Joseph Guarini fecit (A) / Anno 1881. No. 1565 / Emile Mennesson, à Reims (Marne)/ Seul concessionare pour la France et l’étranger / Déposé" and "Emile Mennesson dit Guarini / E.M. Luthier à Ste. Cécile à Reims / 2 Médailles d’or Décoration de l’Ordre Royal / du Christ de Portugal / Année 1886 No. 1903".

Influence

• Training: Emile Mennesson received training and worked with both Mennegand and Deroux.

Legacy

• Awards and Recognition: Mennesson was highly decorated, receiving medals and citations at various exhibitions. He accumulated 19 diplomas and medals, including gold and silver medals and numerous 'diplomes d'honneur'. He was also awarded the Decoration of the Royal Order of Christ of Portugal.
• Exhibitions: His work was exhibited at significant events in Paris (1875, 1878, 1894), Philadelphia (1876), Rheims (1876, 1889, 1895), Rome (1884), Epernay (1884), and Charleville (1894).
• Publications: In 1876, L. S. Fanart published a detailed report on Mennesson, which was presented at the National Academy in Reims.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: Mennesson worked in Paris and Mirecourt before establishing his main presence in Rheims.
• Address: He resided at 10, rue Carnot in Rheims.
• Production Volume: He is recorded to have made 2,380 violins according to Cecie Stainer, while John Dilworth states over 3,000 violins, violas, and cellos were made under the Guarini label.

Summary

Emile Mennesson (1842-1920) was a prominent French luthier who transitioned from piano making to fully dedicating himself to violin making by 1874. After working in Paris and with Joseph Guarini in Mirecourt, he established his own successful workshop, producing over 3,000 instruments, many under the Guarini trademark. His instruments, often modelled after the 1716 Stradivari 'Messie' violin, were known for their red or yellow-red varnish and the use of fine old wood. Mennesson was highly acclaimed, earning 19 diplomas and medals, including the Decoration of the Royal Order of Christ of Portugal, and exhibiting his work internationally.