Violin makers, also known as luthiers, have passed down their fine art for over four centuries. The first violin, viola, and cello were made in the early 15th century in Italy, and as a result, a number of important and renowned luthiers have risen from its country of origin.
- Antonio StradivariÂ
Italian luthier, Antonio Stradivari, has been widely regarded as the greatest violin maker in history for quite some time. Born in Cremona in or around 1644, Stradivari was a pupil of Nicolò Amati when he began his career as a violin maker. He quickly became known for his skills in the art as he developed his own style for violins. Today, the Stradivari method of violin making has set a standard for modern times. Out of the almost thousand instruments Stradivari made in his lifetime, only about 650 survived; some of which are still in use to this day and have carried on his legacy for centuries. His instruments have topped prices at auctions and have been owned and played by the greatest musicians of the world. Despite the vast amount of knowledge that has been discovered about Stradivari’s violins, what makes them special is yet to be found. It has long been thought that the secret of Stradivari’s violins lies in his varnish, of which the formula has not been found.
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