Nicolas Eugene Simoutre

History

Nicolas Eugene SIMOUTRE (1834-1908) was born in 1834 in Mirecourt and died in 1908 in Paris, France.

He was the son and pupil of Nicolas Simoutre, as noted by John Dilworth, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff, and Henri Poidras. According to John Dilworth and Cecie Stainer, he worked for Darche in Paris in 1852 and for Roth (and Schwartz, according to Dilworth) in Strasbourg from 1856 to 1860. Cecie Stainer specifies he worked in Strasbourg for four years. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states he worked for Roth in Strasbourg in 1856.

He established independently in place du Dôme, Strasbourg, before moving to Basle in 1860, where he opened his own workshop under the protection of His-Burkhardt, becoming a respected master, as detailed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. Cecie Stainer also notes he founded workshops in both Mulhausen and Basle in 1860. He maintained a shop in Mulhouse, but moved his main business to Paris around 1890, first at 38 rue de l'Echiquier, and later at 21 Faubourg Poissonière, according to John Dilworth. Henri Poidras confirms his establishment in Basle from 1860 to 1890, followed by his move to 38, rue de l'Echiquier in Paris.

He was a prolific and inventive maker of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses, and was recognized with a diploma of honour at the Basle Exhibition in 1877 and again at Zurich in 1883. However, at the Paris Exhibition in 1889, he was awarded only a bronze medal, which he refused to accept, as reported by Cecie Stainer.

Craft

• Workmanship: He produced good, accurate work on classical Italian models, predominantly Stradivari patterns.
• Varnish: His shaded red varnish was colored, in his own words, using 'sulphuric ether... gamboge, dragon's blood, orleans, and sandalwood'.
• Innovations: He made his own 'improvements' to the soundpost and bass bar. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes his principal invention as consisting of lining instruments that were made too weak, specifically using spruce for the bottom lining and crossing the underlays rather than inserting them according to years, which he termed 'harmonisches Unterlagholz'.
• Output: He was a prolific maker of violins, violas, cellos, and double basses.

Influence

• Mentorship: He was the son and pupil of Nicolas Simoutre.
• Training: He worked for Darche in Paris in 1852 and for Roth (and Schwartz) in Strasbourg from 1856 to 1860.
• Patronage: In Basle, he established his workshop under the protection of His-Burkhardt.
• Family Continuity: His son and pupil later became a partner in his business.

Legacy

• Awards: He was awarded a diploma of honour at the Basle Exhibition in 1877 and again at Zurich in 1883. At the Paris Exhibition in 1889, he received a bronze medal, which he refused to accept.
• Publications: He authored a comprehensive series of violin making manuals, including Aux Amateurs du Violon (Basle 1883), Second Progrès en Lutherie: Support Harmonique (Basle, 1887), Supplément aux Amateurs du Violon et au Progrès en Lutherie (Basle, 1889), and Un Progrès en Lutherie - Support Harmonique (Basle, 1889), as detailed by John Dilworth. Cecie Stainer mentions similar publications, including Aux amateurs du violon historique, construction, reparation et conservation de cet instrument (1883) and Un progres en lutherie (1886), noting slight variations in titles and dates compared to other sources. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also highlights his literary appearances and his stance on Ritter's invention of the Viola alta in Le Monde musical.

Further Information

• Workshop Locations: He worked in Paris (1852), Strasbourg (1856-1860), and established independently in place du Dôme, Strasbourg, before moving to Basle in 1860. He also maintained a shop in Mulhouse. Around 1890, he moved his business to Paris, first at 38 rue de l'Echiquier, and later at 21 Faubourg Poissonière.
• Labels: His printed labels included 'N. E. Simoutre, inventeur bréveté / des Supports harmoniques et de la Barre semi-adhérente / 38 rue de l'Echiquier à Paris - année 1892'.