France School
Francois Breton
Mirecourt, Paris, worked 1778–1830
Francois Breton (circa 1778-1830) was a prolific Mirecourt luthier, serving as Luthier to the Duchesse d'Angoulême. His instruments, including violins, cellos, and bows, were characterized by a refined, often oversized style with a flat arch and clear yellow varnish, though sometimes exhibiting variable material quality and attention to detail. His work was widely imitated, and his firm's legacy continued through factory production that utilized his labels even after his death.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | 39.5 cm Mirecourt, 1825-1830 c. | December 2011 | £3,382 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1825-1830 c. | December 2011 | £1,480 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2011 | £638 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. 'Breonvrevete, De Sarm' | November 2011 | £726 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | November 2011 | £591 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1822 | June 2011 | £992 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1819 | June 2011 | £1,323 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm 1850 c. | December 2010 | £518 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm 19th C. [Workshop of] | December 2009 | £883 |
| Violin | 36.3 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2009 | £809 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2009 | £1,306 |
| Violin | 35.6 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2009 | £1,741 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2009 | £1,632 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1816 | October 2009 | £2,781 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1820 c. | October 2009 | £720 |
| Violin | 36.4 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | June 2009 | £259 |
| Viola | 38.2 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2008 | £1,536 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1800 c. | December 2008 | £354 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | June 2008 | £1,393 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1820 c. | June 2008 | £2,135 |
| Violin | 36.4 cm Mirecourt, 1840 c. | June 2008 | £557 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm Mirecourt, 1840 c. | May 2008 | £1,646 |
| Violin | 36.4 cm Mirecourt, 1830 c. | December 2007 | £767 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Mirecourt, 1850 c. | December 2007 | £426 |
| Violin | 35.8 cm 1820 c. | July 2007 | £2,160 |
| Violin | 36.1 cm Mirecourt, 1840 c. | June 2007 | £882 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1800 c. | June 2007 | £1,122 |
| Violin | 35.9 cm Paris, 1780 c. | March 2007 | £1,150 |
| Violin | 36.2 cm Mirecourt, 1811 | October 2006 | £1,103 |
| Violin | 36.0 cm Mirecourt, 1770 | May 2006 | £1,993 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1820 | December 2005 | £1,197 |
| Viola | 39.5 cm Mirecourt, 1820 | November 2005 | £1,579 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1836 | June 2005 | £554 |
| Violin | Mirecourt | February 2005 | £492 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1840 c. | December 2004 | £814 |
| Violin | 3/4 Size | October 2004 | £350 |
| Violin | 1860 c. [Workshop] | October 2004 | £954 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1840 c. | June 2004 | £118 |
| Violin | Mirecourt, 1916 | February 2004 | £1,344 |
| Violin | 1840 | December 2003 | £1,072 |
| Violin | 1830 c. | June 2003 | £826 |
| Violin | 1830 | June 2003 | £1,156 |
| Violin | 1840 | June 2002 | £864 |
| Violin | 1830 | June 2002 | £785 |
| Violin | 1820 | June 2002 | £1,021 |
| Violin | 1830 | June 2000 | £381 |
| Violin | 1821 | June 2000 | £437 |
| Violin | 1840 c. | January 1992 | £462 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | March 1991 | £1,100 |
| Violin | 18-- | November 1990 | £880 |
| Violin | 1892 | September 1990 | £308 |
| Violin | 1830 c. | September 1990 | £278 |
| Violin | 1790 c. | December 1989 | £220 |
| Violin | 1830 | November 1986 | £528 |
| Violin | 1780 c. | November 1986 | £308 |
| Violin | 1811 | October 1984 | £352 |
| Violin | 1816 | March 1982 | £428 |
| Violin | 1815 | February 1982 | £595 |
| Cello | 182- | June 1980 | £1,217 |
| Violin | 1800 c. | March 1980 | £538 |
Maker Overview
Life
Francois Breton (circa 1778-1830) worked in Mirecourt, France, during the period of approximately 1778 to 1830. He held the esteemed position of Luthier to the Duchesse d'Angoulême and was known as a very prolific maker, whose work was much imitated in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- His own style, was quite refined, generally a little over-sized, with a flat arch and clear yellow varnish, though it sometimes showed a lack of attention in the details and utilized materials of variable quality. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that his work, while not artistic, was always quite clean, and he preferred a large model, often using light yellow varnish.
- Production
- Breton also produced good cellos and bows. Due to employing many workers, his violins are not rare.
- F Breton, Musicarius
Mitecurti, anno 1805John Dilworth - F Breton breveté Luthier de S.A.R.
Mme. la Duchesse d’Angoulême
à Mirecourt, 1816John Dilworth - BRETON BREVETÉ
DE SAR MEJohn Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Imitation and Factory Production: Thousands of factory-made instruments were produced in his style after his death. His firm transitioned into a Mirecourt factory that continues to insert his labels into new instruments. He was also a much-imitated maker, with Lütgendorff comparing his situation to that of the German Hopf family, whose work, despite being considered of craftsman-like mediocrity, is continually taken as a model by an uncritical public.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
BRETON, François Worked circa. 1778-1830 Mirecourt France. Luthier to the Duchesse d’Angoulême. Very prolific and much-imitated maker. His own style is quite refined, generally a little over-sized, with flat arch and clear yellow varnish, although showing some lack of attention in the details, and materials very variable in quality. Thousands of factory made instruments produced in his style after his death (see above). Also made good cellos and bows. Branded on back button, and occasionally inscribed within pegbox: F. BRETON. Printed labels: F Breton, Musicarius / Mitecurti, anno 1805. F Breton breveté Luthier de S.A.R. / Mme. la Duchesse d’Angoulême / à Mirecourt, 1816 BRETON BREVETÉ / DE SAR ME
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Seine Arbeit ist zwar nicht künstlerisch, aber immerhin recht sauber. Er
bevorzugte ein grosses Modell und verwandte meist hellgelben Lack. Da er
viele Arbeiter beschäftigte, sind seine Geigen nicht selten; man muss sich jedoch
trotzdem vorsehen, denn abgesehen davon, dass seine Firma auf eine Mirecourter
Fabrik überging, die noch immer seinen Zettel in ganz neue Instrumente klebt, ist er auch noch vielfach nachgeahmt worden. Es geht ihm beinahe so, wie der deutschen
Familie Hopf. Sie erhob sich nicht über handwerksmässige Mittelmässigkeit und wird doch fortwährend von einer urtheilslosen Menge zum Vorbild genommen.
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Working in Mirecourt at the same time
(Parisse) Claude Paris worked 1770–1814
(Perrault) Perault worked 1770–1790
(Persoit) Jean Pierre Marie Persois worked 1809–1854
(Prevot) Charles Prevost worked 1775–1789
A. B. Mercier worked 1775
A. Mongel worked 1820–1830
Aine Poirot worked 1785–1820
Alexandre Paverot worked 1820