Girolamo (Hieronymus) Virchi

History

Girolamo (Hieronymus) Virchi (circa 1523-after 1573) was born around 1523 in Brescia, Italy. According to John Dilworth, he was a pupil of his father, learning wood carving and clog making. City records from 1563 identify him as a 'maestro de istrumenti de musica', a title also noted by Karel Jalovec as "Maestro de instrumente de Musica" from 1563. He headed a thriving workshop in Brescia, producing citterns, wood carvings, and various decorations for the city. In 1565, he was present as godfather at the baptism of Francesco, son of Gasparo da Salò. Karel Jalovec and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggest that Virchi was a friend and possibly a teacher of Gasparo da Salò. His son, Paolo, born in 1551, was employed by the d'Este court as a violist and composer. Girolamo, along with his brothers Battista and Benedetto (who was also a cittern maker), was responsible for an elaborately carved organ loft and marquetry in the choir stalls of S. Francesco in Brescia.

Craft

• Instrument Making: Girolamo Virchi's workshop in Brescia produced citterns, lutes, and other musical instruments, as noted by John Dilworth, Karel Jalovec, and Cecie Stainer.
• Woodcarving and Decoration: He was also known for extensive wood carvings and decorations within Brescia, including an extravagantly carved organ loft and marquetry in the choir stalls of S. Francesco, created with his brothers Battista and Benedetto.
• Surviving Citterns: A surviving cittern in the Kunsthistorischesmuseum, Vienna, inscribed 'Hieronymu (s) Brixiensis', exhibits painted figurative woodcarving. John Dilworth notes that the style of this carving shows obvious similarities to the Gasparo da Salò 'Ole Bull' violin in the Bergen Vestlandske Kustindustrimuseum, indicating a close working relationship between Virchi and Gasparo.
• Ambraser Zitherlaute: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes a "Zitherlaute" from the 1596 inventory of the Ambraser Collection, which is still extant. This instrument features a carved Lucretia Romana on the neck, 12 metal strings (two drawn closely together), and is adorned with beautiful carving, partly painted and gilded. The fingerboard bears the name "Hieronimus Brixiensis", and the back displays the Tyrolean and Archducal coats of arms. Lütgendorff notes its resemblance to a similar cittern by G. P. Maggini in the Museo Modena.
• Known Labels: Cecie Stainer records a known label: 'Hieronirno di Vir in Bresa.' Willibald Leo Lütgendorff also mentions that Vidal shared a label, which must have come from an instrument made by Gerolamo Virchi.

Influence

• Early Training: According to John Dilworth, Girolamo Virchi was a pupil of his father, learning the crafts of wood carving and clog making.
• Mentorship Possibility: Karel Jalovec and Willibald Leo Lütgendorff suggest that Virchi was a friend of Gasparo da Salò and potentially his teacher.

Legacy

• Family Involvement: His brother, Benedetto Virchi, was also recorded as a cittern maker. Girolamo's son, Paolo Virchi (born 1551), became a violist and composer employed by the d'Este court.
• Museum Collections: A cittern inscribed 'Hieronymu (s) Brixiensis' is preserved in the Kunsthistorischesmuseum, Vienna. The Ambraser Collection also holds a "Zitherlaute" attributed to him, as detailed by Willibald Leo Lütgendorff.

Further Information

• Workshop Location: Girolamo Virchi maintained a workshop in Brescia, Italy.
• Name Variations: He is referred to as 'Hieronymu (s) Brixiensis' on a surviving cittern and 'Hieronimus Brixiensis' on the Ambraser Zitherlaute. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his actual family name might have been Geraldi, and he identifies "Hieronymus Brixiensis" with "Hieronymus Geraldi". He is also listed as "Hyeronimus de Virchis" in records as godfather to Gasparo da Salò's son.
• Geographical Misinterpretations: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff highlights historical misinterpretations of his name and origin. F. Trautmann and others mistakenly interpreted "Brixiensis" as "from Brixen (in Tyrol)" due to the Tyrolean coat of arms on an instrument. Similarly, Miss Stainer interpreted "Bresa" as "Bresa in Silesia", likely referring to Breslau.

Summary

Girolamo (Hieronymus) Virchi, born circa 1523 in Brescia, Italy, was a prominent 'maestro de istrumenti de musica' and a skilled wood carver. Trained by his father in wood carving and clog making, he established a flourishing workshop in Brescia, producing citterns, lutes, and other instruments. He was a close associate and possibly a teacher of Gasparo da Salò, even serving as godfather to Gasparo's son. Virchi's artistic contributions extended to elaborate wood carvings and marquetry for civic and religious structures, often collaborating with his brothers. His work, characterized by detailed figurative carving, is preserved in institutions like the Kunsthistorischesmuseum, Vienna, and the Ambraser Collection.