Gaetano Sgarabotto

History

Gaetano SGARABOTTO (1878-1960) was born on September 20, 1878, in Vicenza, Italy, and passed away in 1960 in Parma, Italy. He undertook studies in wood carving at the Academia Olimpica in Vicenza. In 1893, he relocated to Milan, where he became a pupil of R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach. Sgarabotto was appointed Director of the Violin Making School in Parma in 1928. He worked briefly in Brescia and subsequently returned to Parma. According to Karel Jalovec, he worked in Parma after 1928 and in Brescia since 1948. He was honored with the title of 'Cavaliere' in 1918. He exhibited a violin and an entire quartet at the Cremona Exhibition in 1937.

Craft

• Style: He worked in the style of Stradivari and N. Amati, and produced finely observed copies of many classical Italian works, including those of Testore and Grancino.
• Models: He also developed his own personal model, which was distilled from these various influences.
• Instruments: He crafted violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.
• Varnish: He utilized a red or pale orange varnish, and Henri Poidras notes his fine yellow varnish.
• Workmanship: Henri Poidras describes his instruments, apart from his imitations, as very finished.

Influence

• Teachers: He was a pupil of R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach in Milan.
• Leadership: He was appointed Director of the Violin Making School in Parma in 1928.

Legacy

• Awards: He was awarded numerous medals, including in Vicenza, Turin (1898), Paris (1900), Milan (1906), Brussels (1910), and Rome (1920).
• Recognition: He was created 'Cavaliere' in 1918.
• Exhibitions & Collections: A quartet he made for the 1937 Exhibition in Cremona is preserved at the Museo Stradivariano.
• Jurist Role: He served as a jurist at several international competitions.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Milan, Vicenza, San Felice, Parma, and Brescia.
• Labels: He used both manuscript and printed labels, such as "Cajetanus Sgarabotto Vicentinus / fecit Mediolanum anno Domini 1908".

Summary

Gaetano SGARABOTTO (1878-1960) was an Italian luthier renowned for his finely observed copies of classical Italian masters like Testore and Grancino, as well as his own distinctive model. He studied wood carving and violin making under R. Antoniazzi and L. Bisiach, later becoming Director of the Violin Making School in Parma. His instruments, including violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, were recognized with numerous medals and are noted for their finished quality and varied varnishes. A quartet he crafted is housed in the Museo Stradivariano.