Georgio (Zorzi) Serafin

History

Georgio (Zorzi) SERAFIN (1726-1755) was born in 1726 and died in 1755 in Venice, Italy. According to John Dilworth, he was the nephew and pupil of Santo Serafin. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Karel Jalovec state that he was the grandson of Santo Seraphin. Georgio Serafin worked for Montagnana and succeeded to his business in 1751, at which time he married Montagnana's daughter, Antonia. He continued to operate the business at the sign 'alla Cremona' in the Calle de Stagneri, acknowledging Montagnana in the business's title until 1768. He was appointed luthier to the Ospedaletto, the Mendicanti, and La Pietà. His workshop, assisted by his son Giovanni Battista and Anselmo Bellosio, was of major importance in Venice during this period, despite the relative rarity of Georgio Serafin's own labelled work.

Craft

• Workmanship: His violins are described as somewhat Amatisé and often full-arched. John Dilworth notes his workmanship as sophisticated, though not reaching the refinement and finish of his uncle Santo.
• Scrolls: Sources contain conflicting information regarding his scrolls. John Dilworth describes them as "a little graceless, with open turns and a weak chamfer," while Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states "die Schnecke ist hübsch geschnitzt" (the scroll is beautifully carved), and Karel Jalovec mentions "the scrolls gracefully carved."
• Varnish: Some instruments feature a very fine Montagnana-like clotted dark red varnish, while others have a plainer golden-brown or yellow-brown varnish.
• Soundholes: His soundholes are characterized as quite slender and curving.
• Materials: He consistently used excellent materials.
• Tone: Both Willibald Leo Lütgendorff and Karel Jalovec note that the tone of his instruments is weak.

Influence

• Mentorship: According to John Dilworth, he was a pupil of Santo Serafin.
• Professional Affiliation: He worked for Montagnana, eventually succeeding his business.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: He worked at the sign 'alla Cremona' in the Calle de Stagneri, Venice.
• Branding: His instruments were often branded on the lower rib.
• Label Example: An example of his label reads "Georgius Seraphin, Sancti Nepos / fecit Venetiis 1741 [Pio]."

Summary

Georgio (Zorzi) SERAFIN (1726-1755) was a Venetian luthier, either the nephew or grandson of Santo Serafin, who worked for and later succeeded Montagnana's business in Venice. His workshop was significant, and he was appointed luthier to several institutions. His violins are often Amatisé with sophisticated workmanship, though sources conflict on the gracefulness of his scrolls. He used excellent materials and various varnishes, including a Montagnana-like dark red. His instruments were often branded on the lower rib, and his soundholes were slender and curving, though the tone is noted as weak.