Claude Victor Rambaux

History

Claude Victor RAMBAUX (1806-1871) was born on February 25, 1806, in Darney, Vosges, and passed away on June 25, 1871, in Mirecourt, France. He hailed from an old family of violin makers. At the age of 14, in 1820, he began his apprenticeship with L. Moitessier in Mirecourt, remaining there until July 12, 1824. Following this, he worked with Thibout in Caen from 1824 to 1827. On August 22, 1827, he moved to Paris and joined the workshop of Gand (father), where he matured into an artist and quickly became the first assistant. He stayed with Gand until 1838, and on June 7, 1838, he established his own workshop at No. 18, Faubourg Poissonnière. His reputation grew rapidly, placing him among esteemed makers like Lupot, Pique, Gand, Bernardel, and Vuillaume, which attested to the excellence of his art. In June 1857, after nineteen years of work in Paris, he retired from his business and returned to Mirecourt, where he continued to work diligently out of passion. According to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, the news of his younger son's death near Belfort deeply affected him, and he did not long survive this heavy blow. He was described as a true artist, a fine connoisseur, and possessed an untiring work ethic.

Craft

• Workmanship: Claude Victor Rambaux exhibited good workmanship, particularly in new instrument construction, though he did not produce a large quantity of new violins.
• Specialization: He was primarily employed as a repairer, demonstrating exceptional skill and excellent judgment in his treatment of old masters' works.
• Récoupage: He possessed a particular skill in the reduction ('récoupage') of overly large old violoncellos and basses, including early large-model Stradivari cellos, to meet modern requirements.
• Varnish: His instruments often featured a thick and rather cloudy varnish.
• Experimental Efforts: Rambaux was an experimental maker, undertaking many efforts in wood treatment and bass bar development. He attempted to modify the central thickness of the belly, but these experiments, like many others before them, were not conclusive. He also made less successful attempts to alter the arching, ribs, and even the external form of violins. Furthermore, he unsuccessfully tried to artificially age wood and enhance tone by inserting a double bottom.
• Model: He utilized the Stradivari model for his instruments.

Influence

• Apprenticeship: Claude Victor Rambaux was apprenticed to L. Moitessier in Mirecourt from 1820 to 1824.
• Early Career: He worked with Thibout in Caen from 1824 to 1827.
• Mentorship: From 1827 to 1838, he worked with François Gand (father) in Paris, under whom he developed into an accomplished artist and became the first assistant.

Legacy

• Awards: Claude Victor Rambaux received a first-class medal at the 1835 Paris Exhibition and silver medals at the 1844 and 1849 Exhibitions.
• Family: He had two sons, but neither of them became violin makers.
• Reputation: He quickly achieved great renown alongside prominent makers such as Lupot, Pique, Gand, Bernardel, and Vuillaume, which attests to the excellence of his art.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Claude Victor Rambaux established his own workshop on June 7, 1838, at No. 18, Faubourg Poissonnière, Paris.
• Label: An example of his label reads: 'Claude Victor Rambaux / Breveté à Paris 1846.'
• Initials: He used the initials 'C.V.R.'

Summary

Claude Victor Rambaux (1806-1871) was a distinguished French luthier, born in Darney and active primarily in Mirecourt and Paris. He apprenticed with L. Moitessier and worked with Thibout before spending a formative period with François Gand in Paris, where he became a first assistant. In 1838, he opened his own workshop in Faubourg Poissonnière. Renowned for his exceptional skill as a repairer, he specialized in the 'récoupage' or reduction of large old violoncellos and basses to modern dimensions. While he did not produce a vast number of new instruments, those he made exhibited good workmanship and often featured a thick, cloudy varnish. Rambaux was also an experimental maker, exploring various modifications to instrument construction and wood treatment, though not all his experiments were successful. He received several accolades, including a first-class medal at the 1835 Paris Exhibition and silver medals in 1844 and 1849. He retired to Mirecourt in 1857, continuing to work out of passion until his death in 1871.