Nicola & Giuseppe Gagliano

Life

GAGLIANO, Nicola & Giuseppe

Neapolitan violin makers of the Gagliano family, active in Naples during the eighteenth century. Nicola Gagliano (c.1710–1785), eldest son of Alessandro Gagliano, was one of the most important members of the family. Active from approximately 1740 to 1780, he produced violins, violas and cellos principally influenced by Stradivari, while occasionally working from Amati models. His instruments are noted for their strong modelling, relatively flat arching and upright f-holes.

His son Giuseppe Gagliano (1726–1793) was trained in the family tradition and worked in Naples from approximately 1770. Nicola collaborated with Giuseppe during the later part of his career, and some instruments from this period are attributed to their joint work. Giuseppe subsequently worked with his brother Antonio, producing instruments under joint labels.

The work of Nicola and Giuseppe represents an important period in the development of the Neapolitan school, maintaining the Gagliano family’s distinctive approach to construction, varnish and model-making.