Venice School
Pietro Valentino Novello
Venice, 1759–1831
Apprenticed to Giorgio Serafin in the workshop known as ‘Alla Cremona’ c.1773 and remained there after Giorgio’s death in 1779 when the business was taken over by A. Bellosio. Novello himself took over from Bellosio in 1793, married Bellosio’s widow Margherita, and was appointed legal agent for the \u{2026} — John Dilworth
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | Venice, 1791 Child's size [Ascribed to] | October 2005 | £8,825 |
Maker Overview
Life
Pietro Valentino Novello (1759-1831) was born in 1759 and died in 1831 in Venice, Italy. He was apprenticed to Giorgio Serafin in the workshop known as 'Alla Cremona' around 1773. Novello remained in the workshop after Giorgio Serafin's death in 1779, when the business was taken over by A. Bellosio. In 1793, Novello himself took over from Bellosio, married Bellosio's widow Margherita, and was appointed legal agent for the 'Alla Cremona' shop. He finally took full ownership of the workshop in 1799. Several craftsmen were employed there, including Marco Cerin until 1796, and Novello's step-son Giovanni Bellosio. Novello also assumed the contract as luthier to the Pietà Hospital from the Bellosio family., it appears that in several documents Novello used the name 'Marco', which has led previous writers to assume the existence of both Marco and Marco Antonio Novello as two other luthiers, often assumed to be Pietro Valentino's brothers; however, this now seems very doubtful. Cecie Stainer, in A Dictionary of Violin Makers, states that Pietro Valentino Novello was the brother of Marco Antonio Novello, a claim that conflicts with Dilworth's research. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff notes that it is incorrect to place Novello's active period into the 1830s, as has sometimes occurred.
Characteristics
- Workmanship
- Novello's work is described as good, loosely following the style of Amati.
- Arching
- His instruments feature a full, rounded arch with marked edge fluting.
- Finish & Materials
- While not finely finished, his instruments utilize excellent materials and are covered with a varnish of deep red-brown colour.
- Petrus Valentinus Novellus
discipulus Bellosij
fecit Venetijs. 1792John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Apprenticeship: Pietro Valentino Novello was apprenticed to Giorgio Serafin around 1773.
- Teacher: Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies him as a pupil of Anselm Bellosio.
- School: He is considered one of the better violin makers during the gradual decline of the Venetian school.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
NOVELLO, Pietro Valentino (Marco) Born 1759, died 1831 Venice Italy. Apprenticed to Giorgio Serafin in the workshop known as ‘Alla Cremona’ c.1773 and remained there after Giorgio’s death in 1779 when the business was taken over by A. Bellosio. Novello himself took over from Bellosio in 1793, married Bellosio’s widow Margherita, and was appointed legal agent for the ‘Alla Cremona’ shop. In 1799 he finally took full ownership himself. Several craftsmen were employed there, including, up until 1796, Marco Cerin and Novello’s step-son Giovanni Bellosio. Novello also took over the contract as luthier to the Pietà Hospital from the Bellosio family. It appears that in several documents he used the name ‘Marco’, which has caused previous writers to assume the existence of both Marco and Marco Antonio Novello as two other luthiers, assumed to be brothers of Pietro Valentino. This now seems very doubtful. Good work, loosely after Amati. Full rounded arch with marked edge fluting. Not finely finished but with excellent materials and varnish of deep red-brown colour. Petrus Valentinus Novellus / discipulus Bellosij / fecit Venetijs. 1792 [Pio]
Cecie Stainer+
Brother of Marco Antonio Novello. A maker in Venice in the 18th century.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Schüler von Anselm Bellosio und wie dieser einer der besseren Geigenmacher in der Zeit des allmählichen Verfalls der Venezianer Schule. Seine Zeit schon in die dreissiger Jahre zu setzen, wie mehrfach geschieht, ist nicht angängig.
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Working in Venice at the same time
Anselmo Bellosio 1743–1793
Antonio Chiocchi worked 1770–1790
Antonio Ciochi worked 1790
Domenico Busan 1720–1783
Francesco Faruzzi 1790–1865
Giacomo Corara worked 1777
Giovanni Battista Bodio 1774–1849
Giovanni Battista Costa worked 1770