Giacinto Rugeri

History

Giacinto RUGERI (1661-1697) was an Italian violin maker from Cremona, active between approximately 1666 and 1698. He was the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri, preceding his father in death. According to Karel Jalovec, Giacinto worked in the same manner as his father, though perhaps lacking some of his skill. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his identity; while Lütgendorff states that Giacinto was not identical with Gio Battista, and Jalovec inclines to the same opinion, Lütgendorff also notes that Giacinto called himself Gio Battista on his older labels before later using only Giacinto, always asserting he was Francesco's son. John Dilworth cites labels such as 'Giacinto filio di Francesco / Rugier detto il' from 1692 and 'Giacinto filio di Francesco / Ruggieri detto il' from 1696.

Craft

• Model: Giacinto Rugeri built his instruments on a large, broad model with a still higher arching than that designed by his father, and his model is described by Henri Poidras as a little more substantial in build with more pronounced arching.
• Workmanship: His work is generally considered slighter and more delicate than that of other family members, featuring slender extended corners. While excellent, his work is not quite equal to that of his father, and his instruments are not always finished with the same care.
• Scrolls: The shapely scrolls are rather large, though John Dilworth notes they can be a little weaker.
• Sound-holes: His sound-holes are delicately cut, longer, and more upright than those of his father.
• Varnish: He applied a dark-brown varnish of good quality.
• Specialization: Giacinto devoted most of his time to building 'cellos, which are considered very good. He also used various wood types.
• Tone: The tone of his instruments is outstanding and very good.

Influence

• Mentorship: Giacinto Rugeri was the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri.
• Style: He worked in the same manner as his father, and his work corresponds to his school.

Legacy

• Authenticated Works: Very few authenticated works by Giacinto Rugeri are presently known.
• Notable Instruments: A violoncello bearing his label is in the possession of Mr. G. Foster Cooke, as noted by George Hart.

Further Information

• Pricing: Karel Jalovec indicates a price range of 120-160,000 Kc for his instruments.

Summary

Giacinto Rugeri (1661-1697) was a Cremonese violin maker, son and pupil of Francesco Rugeri. He worked in a similar style to his father, though his craftsmanship is often described as slightly less refined. He is noted for building instruments on a broad, highly arched model with distinctive large scrolls and upright sound-holes. Giacinto primarily focused on 'cellos, which are highly regarded for their outstanding tone and good quality dark-brown varnish. Sources discuss whether he was also known as Gio Battista. Very few authenticated works by him are known today.