Mirecourt School
Nicholas Darche
Mirecourt, 1815–1873
Nicholas Darche (1815-1873) was a luthier from Mirecourt, France, who established his workshop in Aix-la-Chapelle. Known for his early conscientious copies of classical models with fine varnish, his work later declined into commercial output. He trained in Mirecourt and was employed by N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels, also taking on P. J. Hel as a pupil.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
6 results
| Type | Details | Auction house | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 1844 | — | June 2002 | £3,584 |
| Violin | 1850 c. | — | February 1998 | £970 |
| Violin Bow | S/E 58 g. | — | March 1996 | £632 |
| Violin | 1855 1/2 Size | — | November 1992 | £770 |
| Violin | 1842 | — | September 1991 | £1,760 |
| Viola Bow | S/E 64 g. | — | June 1987 | £396 |
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Maker Overview
Life
Nicholas Darche (1815-1873) was born in 1815 and died in 1873 in Mirecourt, France. He was the brother of Joseph and Charles François Darche. Trained in Mirecourt, he was employed by N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels before establishing himself in Aix-la-Chapelle (Aachen) around 1840 or 1841. P. J. Hel was a pupil of his from 1864 to 1865. While his early work showed great promise, his output declined in later years, particularly after 1860, becoming more commercial. In the last years of his life, he ceased working entirely.
Characteristics
- Early Work
- Consisted of conscientious copies of classical models, including those by Stradivari, Guarneri, and Maggini, often featuring a finely textured varnish and thick, red oil varnish, which contributed to a remarkable sound beauty.
- Later Work
- Around 1860, his output declined to a hurried commercial style, often involving the varnishing of ready-made Mirecourt instruments with a thin spirit concoction, making them comparable to average Mirecourt goods.
- Exhibitions
- Exhibited at Frankfurt in 1842.
- Labels
- An example label reads "N. Darche luthier / à Aix la Chapelle / 1846. Copie de / Jiovani Paolo Magini / Brescia 1715."
- Pricing
- In 1844, a violin was priced at 35 Thaler, and a violoncello at 70 Thaler.
- N. Darche luthier
à Aix la Chapelle
1846John Dilworth - Copie de
Jiovani Paolo Magini
Brescia 1715.John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Training: Received training in Mirecourt.
- Employment: Was employed by N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels.
- Pupils: P. J. Hel was a pupil of his from 1864 to 1865.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
DARCHE, Nicolas Born 1815, died 1873 Mirecourt France. Brother of Joseph and Charles François Darche, above. Trained in Mirecourt, employed by N. F. Vuillaume in Brussels. Established at Aix-La-Chapelle 1841. Early work consists of conscientious copies of classical models with finely textured varnish, but declined in later years (c.1860) to a rather hurried commercial output, varnishing ready-made Mirecourt work with a fairly thin spirit concoction. Exhibited at Frankfurt 1842. N. Darche luthier / à Aix la Chapelle / 1846. Copie de / Jiovani Paolo Magini / Brescia 1715.
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Aix-la-Chapelle, who has made a great many instruments. P. J. Hel was a pupil of his, 1864-65.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er soll in seiner Vaterstadt Mirecourt gelernt haben und liess sich, nachdem
er in Brüssel eine Zeit lang gearbeitet hatte, gegen 1840 in Aachen nieder.
In seiner ersten Zeit berechtigte er zu schönen Hoffnungen und baute nach den
Modellen von Stradivari, Guarneri und Maggini mit Geschick und Verständniss.
Damals verwendete er auch dicken, rothen Öllack und erzielte eine bemerkenswerthe
Klangschönheit. Er verlangte 1844 für eine Geige 35 Thaler, für ein Violoncello
70 Thaler. Später ergab er sich dem Trunke, und seine Arbeiten aus den
sechziger Jahren kommen höchstens noch der Mirecourter Durchschnittswaare
gleich; ja, es ist wahrscheinlich, dass er nur noch Mirecourter Schachteln verarbeitete.
In den letzten Jahren seines Lebens arbeitete er überhaupt nichts mehr.
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