Brescia School
Giovita Rodiani (Rudiani)
Brescia, c.1541–1625
Active in Piedmont 1563 and Bologna 1572. From 1619 established in the Contrada della Tresanda di Santo Rocca, Brescia and referred to himself in archival documents as ‘fabricator a violinis’ in that year. Recorded as ‘Ser Jovita Rodiani che fa violini in Brescia’ in 1620. Valdrighi claimed to own o\u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Brescia, 1570-80 [Ascribed to] | November 2005 | £3,941 |
Maker Overview
Life
Giovita RODIANI (RUDIANI) (circa 1541-1544 – 1625) was an Italian violin maker., he was born circa 1541-1544 and died in 1625 in Brescia, Italy. He was active in Piedmont in 1563 and Bologna in 1572. From 1619, he established himself in the Contrada della Tresanda di Santo Rocca, Brescia, and in that year, he referred to himself in archival documents as 'fabricator a violinis'. He was recorded as 'Ser Jovita Rodiani che fa violini in Brescia' in 1620. Karel Jalovec states he was born about 1545 and died after 1624, working in Brescia and Bologna. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that the master's name appears in literature with incredible distortions; Fétis, for example, called him Javietta (also Juvento) Budiani and Vidal Francesco B. Lütgendorff credits Valdrighi with correcting these names. Sources contain conflicting information about his death date, with Lütgendorff considering it highly improbable that he lived until around 1650.
Characteristics
- Style
- He worked on the pattern of Gasparo da Salò, whose helpmate he had been for a long time. His creations of later years are in the style of Maggini.
- Varnish
- He applied an amber-yellow varnish, which Willibald Leo Lütgendorff describes as a yellow amber lacquer.
- Historical Value
- His instruments are considered historically valuable, provided they are not too much damaged by age.
- Known Examples
- Valdrighi claimed to own one of his violins, but, no examples are presently known.
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Giovita Rodiani was a helpmate to Gasparo da Salò for a long time, working on his pattern.
- Rarity: Despite Valdrighi's claim of owning one of his violins, John Dilworth notes that no examples are presently known.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
RODIANI (RUDIANI), Giovita Born circa. 1541-1544, died 1625 Brescia Italy. Active in Piedmont 1563 and Bologna 1572. From 1619 established in the Contrada della Tresanda di Santo Rocca, Brescia and referred to himself in archival documents as ‘fabricator a violinis’ in that year. Recorded as ‘Ser Jovita Rodiani che fa violini in Brescia’ in 1620. Valdrighi claimed to own one of his violins, but no examples presently known. Giovita Rodiani In Brescia [Chiesa Brescia]
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Die Namen dieses Meisters kommen in der Literatur in unglaublichen Entstellungen vor; Fétis nannte ihn Javietta (auch Juvento) Budiani und Vidal Francesco B., und es ist ein Verdienst Valdrighi’s, die Namen richtiggestellt zu haben. Die Geigen Rodiani’s entsprechen dem Stile G. d. Salò’s und Maggini’s und haben gelben Bernsteinlack. Dass er noch um 1650 gelebt haben soll, ist höchst unwahrscheinlich.
Karel Jalovec+
Brescia, Bologna. Born about 1545, died after 1624. Worked on the pattern of Gasparo da Salo, whose helpmate he had been for a long time. His creations of later years are in the style of Maggini. He applied an amber-yellow varnish. Historically valuable instruments if not too much damaged by age. Price about 20.000 Kc.
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Working in Brescia at the same time
Andrea Lassigner worked 1600
Battista Doneda 1530–1610
Francesco Bertolotti 1565–1614
Gasparo Bertolotti 1540–1609
Giovanni Paolo Maggini 1580–1632
Jacopo De Lafranchini worked 1614