Nicolo Bianchi

Life

Nicolo Bianchi (1803-1881) was born in 1803 in Albisola Superiore, Savona, Italy, and died in 1881 in Nice, France. He worked in Aix-en-Provence from 1844 and was established in Paris by 1851, operating from the Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs starting in 1860. Around 1868, he moved to Genoa, and finally settled in Nice in 1872. He retired in 1877, at which point F. Praga took over his business, though the shop was later bequeathed to F. Bovis in his will. John Dilworth notes that while Bianchi is associated in most dictionaries with Pressenda, Ceruti, and Guadagnini in Turin, this "does not appear to fit with his known circumstances," although there is "strong evidence of a working involvement with other makers in Turin." His early life in Genoa, between 1796 and 1851, may have brought him into contact with Giuseppe Rocca of Turin, who concluded his career in Genoa around 1850-1860. Pierre Pacharel, who also worked in Turin, died in Nice the year before Bianchi's arrival there. Blot points out the resemblance of an early violin by Bianchi to the work of L. Rastelli. He was highly regarded as a maker, repairer, and connoisseur, despite relatively few of his instruments being widely known.

Characteristics

Models

Bianchi crafted instruments on Stradivari, Guarneri, and Amati models.

Varnish

His instruments often featured artificially aged shaded varnish, described as a fine rich orange-red.

Instruments

He produced violins, cellos on various models, and beautifully decorated viola d'amores.

Workmanship

Cecie Stainer notes that his instruments show excellent work and bear comparison with those of good modern makers.

Labels

Known labels include "Nicolò Bianchi Réparé par / Bianchi Nicolò / luthier décoré / à Paris, 1851" and "Bianchi N. Liuttista / 1870 Genova" as cited by Blot.

Influence and legacy

• Training and Associations: Sources contain conflicting information regarding his early training. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff states he worked with Bagatella, F. Calcagni, Cerutti, and Pressenda. Cecie Stainer identifies him as a pupil of Ceruti in Cremona, and Guadagnini and Pressenda in Turin. However, John Dilworth suggests that his association with Pressenda, Ceruti, and Guadagnini "does not appear to fit with his known circumstances," though he acknowledges "strong evidence of a working involvement with other makers in Turin."
• Mentorship: He taught Scarampella in his workshop in Paris in 1862.
• Employees: F. Bovis was employed by Bianchi from 1874, and F. Praga took over the business in 1877.
• Reputation: Nicolo Bianchi was highly regarded as a maker, repairer, and connoisseur. He was particularly esteemed as a repairer, notably restoring Caspar da Salò's bass viola in the Museum of the Paris Conservatoire.
• Succession: F. Praga took over his business in 1877 upon Bianchi's retirement, and the shop was later bequeathed to F. Bovis in his will. Willibald Leo Lütgendorff identifies Bovis as his pupil and successor.