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The Rosenberg Collection Part III – Venice

27 Jan 2023 - John Dilworth

 

This exploration of the breadth of the Rosenberg collection takes us next to Venice, itself the home of perhaps the richest diversity of violin makers in its prime period. There is a less clearly defined linear or chronological development of style, with makers coming to the city already with varied backgrounds, and willing to absorb fresh ideas. The celebrated and brilliant Venetian varnish possibly had origins in southern Bavarian workshops, but was brought to its most exuberant expression by Domenico Montagnana.

 

Examination of the Venetian instruments in the Rosenberg Collection to be sold at Ingles & Hayday
View of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice

'An outstanding and characteristic violin in the collection is by Montagnana'

Front of the Domenico Montagnana violin in the Rosenberg collection at Ingles & Hayday
Front of the Domenico Montagnana violin
Back of the Domenico Montagnana violin in the Rosenberg collection at Ingles & Hayday
Back of the Domenico Montagnana violin
Back of the violin attributed to Domenico Montagnana in the Rosenberg collection at Ingles & Hayday
Detail of the violin attributed to Montagnana

An outstanding and characteristic violin in the collection is by Montagnana, dated to 1725-30, which bears this deep, dark red coating, textured in places with rich craquelure like a fine painting. The wood is of fine quality, which underlines the high status of the work, and in style it is an intriguing amalgam of Stradivarian and Amatise ideas, with the slightly off-centre scroll which is entirely Montagnana’s own.

Another violin attributed to Montagnana has a beautiful back, elegantly full-arched and with delicate long corners. It seems very full of the character of Anselmo Bellosio, a very fine maker who was influenced by Santo Serafin after Montagnana’s death.

Another Guarneri in the collection is attributed to Pietro, son of Giuseppe ‘Filius Andreae’, referred to as ‘Peter of Venice’. This violin is attributed to the same period as the Montagnana, and is interesting in illustrating how Guarneri’s training in the strict Cremonese tradition remained malleable and fluid when he arrived in Venice.

Although it might be thought that a representative of the Cremona school would have had considerable impact on the other makers of Venice, in many ways Pietro was happy to absorb the Venetian style into his own approach, which evolved away from that of his father, and his even more radical brother, Giuseppe ‘del Gesù’. Interestingly, this violin bears a head which was clearly made in Cremona by Giuseppe ‘filius Andrea’.

The Peter Guarneri of Venice violin in the Rosenberg collection at Ingles & Hayday
Peter Guarneri of Venice violin

From a slightly later period in Venice comes a fine Deconet from 1769, which is another admirable, fully characteristic and well-preserved violin. Although Deconet does not share the richest red-hued varnish of other Venetians, this lovely Amati-modelled violin has his characteristic scroll, with a deeply-cut but constricted final turn.

Deconet’s status within the circle of Venetian luthiers has been debated, but the existence of a broad body of work of clearly recognisable workmanship and in a variety of styles and influences somehow reflects the commercial aspects of the great mercantile city.

Scroll of the Michele Deconet violin in the Rosenberg collection at Ingles & Hayday
Scroll of the Michele Deconet violin

Part I – Cremona, Part II – Milan, Part IV

Explore the highlights of the Rosenberg Collection here

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