Claude-Francois (IV) Vuillaume

History

Claude-Francois (IV) VUILLAUME (1772-1834) was born in 1772 in Mirecourt, France, and passed away in 1834. He was the son of Charles-François Vuillaume (III) and is considered the true progenitor of the renowned Vuillaume family of violin makers, according to Willibald Leo Lütgendorff. He married Anne Leclerc, who was born in 1767, and together they had four sons and one daughter. All four of his sons, including Jean-Baptiste, Nicolas, Nicolas François, and Claude François, followed in his footsteps to become violin makers, learning their trade under his guidance.

Craft

• Workmanship: His work is generally described as coarse commercial work typical of the Mirecourt school, and Henri Poidras notes that it was not out of the ordinary. Cecie Stainer also characterizes his instruments as 'cheap instruments'.
• Arching: John Dilworth specifically mentions that his instruments featured a high Stainer-like arch.
• Branding: Claude-Francois (IV) Vuillaume usually branded his instruments with his name only, or with 'Claude Vuillaume / Mirecourt /1820'. When his sons were still working with him, the instruments they produced were branded 'Au Roi David, Paris', a mark also found on the outside of the back of the instruments.

Influence

• Mentorship: He served as the primary teacher for his four sons, Jean-Baptiste, Nicolas, Nicolas François, and Claude François, all of whom became violin makers under his tutelage.

Legacy

• Family Legacy: Claude-Francois (IV) Vuillaume is recognized as the progenitor of the famous Vuillaume family of violin makers, with his son Jean-Baptiste rising to particular prominence in the craft.

Further Information

• Location: He was active in Mirecourt, France.

Summary

Claude-Francois (IV) Vuillaume (1772-1834) was a violin maker born in Mirecourt, France, and is recognized as the progenitor of the distinguished Vuillaume family of luthiers. He married Anne Leclerc and had four sons, all of whom became violin makers under his instruction, most notably Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. His own instruments are described as coarse commercial work of the Mirecourt school, often featuring a high Stainer-like arch, and were typically branded with his name or 'Claude Vuillaume / Mirecourt /1820'. Instruments made while his sons worked with him were branded 'Au Roi David, Paris'.