Spain School
Jose (I) Contreras
Granada, Madrid, c.1710–1775
Jose (I) Contreras (circa 1710-1775/1780), known as 'Il Grenadino', was a highly influential Spanish violin maker born in Granada. He worked in Madrid from around 1740, becoming renowned as the greatest Spanish luthier. Contreras was significantly influenced by Italian masters like Stradivari and Guarneri, producing instruments with a powerful tone and a distinctive, albeit variable, style characterized by a rich golden-brown or yellow-red varnish. His workmanship was considered superior, and his copies of Stradivari's instruments were often mistaken for originals. A notable violin by him was exhibited in Paris in 1878.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Madrid, 1760 c. | June 2005 | £39,444 |
| Violin | Madrid, 1762 | May 2005 | £22,800 |
| Violin | 1767 | October 1997 | £14,950 |
| Violin | 1751 | June 1996 | £9,200 |
| Violin | 1767 | November 1987 | £6,600 |
Maker Overview
Life
Jose (I) Contreras (circa 1710-1775/1780) was born around 1710 in Granada and died in Madrid, Spain, in 1775, though some sources, such as Cecie Stainer, suggest his death occurred around 1780. He is widely regarded as the greatest Spanish violin maker, known by the epithet 'Il Grenadino' or 'Granadino' due to his birthplace. Contreras worked in Madrid from approximately 1740 or 1745., he was strongly influenced by Stradivari, whose instruments were gaining recognition in the Spanish court during this period. However, Dilworth notes that Contreras's style was quite distinct from Stradivari's, exhibiting an impromptu quality in its finish and technique. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states that while Sandys and Forster suggest he copied Stradivari, his model more frequently aligned with that of Guarneri. A beautiful violin by Contreras, featuring a yellow-red varnish, from the collection of Prince Caraman-Chimay, was exhibited in Paris in 1878.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- George Hart describes his workmanship as superior, while Cecie Stainer notes it as beautifully finished. John Dilworth mentions an 'impromptu feeling' to the finish and technique.
- Model and Outline
- His model is considered very good by George Hart. The outline is quite variable, generally broad and flat-arched. A violin exhibited in Paris in 1878 was slightly arched.
- Varnish
- John Dilworth describes it as a very good quality rich light golden-brown. Cecie Stainer notes a yellow-red colour that was very brilliant.
- Sound-holes
- The sound-holes are described as well cut.
- Scroll
- The scroll is noted as rather heavy.
- Tone
- Contreras's instruments have a good reputation for powerful tone and presence.
- Instrument Rarity
- Cellos by Contreras are rare, and no violas have been recorded.
- Matriti per Granadensem
Josephum Contreras
Anno 1760John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Influences: Jose (I) Contreras was strongly influenced by Stradivari, whose instruments were becoming known in the Spanish court. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that he copied Italian makers, specifically mentioning Stradivari and Guarneri.
- Style: George Hart suggests that Contreras probably lived in Italy during his early life, contributing to his Italian style.
- Reputation: Jose (I) Contreras is recognized as the greatest Spanish violin maker.
- Exhibitions: A beautiful violin by him was exhibited in Paris in 1878.
- Accuracy of Copies: Cecie Stainer notes that he made such fine copies of Stradivari's instruments that they were often mistaken for the originals.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
CONTRERAS, José (I) Born circa. 1710 Granada, died 1775 Madrid Spain The greatest Spanish violin maker. Known as ‘Il Grenadino’. Worked in Madrid from c.1740. Strongly influenced by Stradivari whose instruments were becoming known in the Spanish court at this time. His style is very far from Stradivari’s own, however, having an impromptu feeling to the finish and technique. Outline quite variable. Generally broad and flat-arched with very good quality rich light golden-brown of varnish. Good reputation for powerful tone and presence. Cellos are rare. No violas recorded. Matriti per Granadensem / Josephum Contreras / Anno 1760
George Hart+
This being one of the few Spanish makers, his name is placed with the Italian, the number of the Spanish being insufficient for a separate list. The model of this maker is very good, and the workmanship superior. He probably lived in Italy during his early life, the style being Italian.
Cecie Stainer+
b. about 1710, Granada; d about 1780. Known as “Granadino” owing to his birthplace. He worked in Madrid from about 1745 making such fine copies of Stradivari s instruments that they were often mistaken for the originals.
A beautiful violin exhibited in Paris, 1878, was slightly arched, the sound-holes well cut, the varnish a yellow-red colour, very brilliant, the scroll rather heavy, the work beautifully finished. In it was the label: ” Matriti per Granadensem Josephum Contreras, anno 1760.”
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Einer der besten spanischen Geigenmacher. Er stammte aus Granada und
führte desshalb auch den Beinamen »Granadino«. Er copirte die Italiener, —
Sandys und Forster sagen: den Stradivari, doch schliesst sich sein Modell häufiger
dem des Guarneri an. Eine hübsche Violine von ihm mit gelbrothem Lack, aus
der Sammlung des Prinzen Caraman-Chimay, war 1878 in Paris ausgestellt. Vidal liest den Wohnort »Matxiti« statt Matriti und dieser Lese- oder Druckfehler begegnet
uns seitdem in allen nach Vidal verfassten Schriften.
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Working in Granada at the same time
Dom Vincenzo Ascencio worked 1775–1790
Jose (II) Contreras 1751–1827
Silverio Ortega worked 1770–1820