Paris School
Jacques Charles Eve
Paris, worked 1758–1790
Jacques Charles Eve was a Parisian luthier active from approximately 1758 to 1790, operating under the sign 'A La Fortune' from various addresses including rue Dauphine, rue Culture S. Catharine, and rue Vieille-du-Temple. His early instruments were characterized by Staineresque modelling with a full arch, deep edge flute, small soundholes, and an elongated scroll, often finished with a red spirit varnish. Later work showed a refinement of these characteristics and a shift to a paler golden yellow varnish. His violins are noted for their arched German model appearance and careful craftsmanship.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viola | 40.6 cm 1779 | October 1997 | £1,380 |
Maker Overview
Life
Jacques Charles Eve (circa 1758-1790) was a luthier who worked in Paris, France. He established his workshop under the sign 'A La Fortune' at various addresses throughout his career. Around 1757, he was located on rue Dauphine, S. Germain. By approximately 1770, he had moved to rue Culture S. Catharine, and by 1780, he was working from rue Vieille-du-Temple. Lütgendorff notes that in 1758, he resided on Rue S. André des Arts, in 1770 on Rue Culture-Saint-Catharine, in 1783 on Rue Saint-Antoine, and in 1788 at Rue Ville-du-Temple No. 101. Initially, he referred to himself as 'Marchand Luthier' (merchant luthier), later simplifying his title to 'Luthier'.
Characteristics
- Early Work
- 's early work featured Staineresque modelling with a full arch and deep edge flute. These instruments had small soundholes and an elongated scroll. The varnish used was a red spirit varnish.
- Later Period
- Dilworth observes that his later period showed some amelioration of the more extreme mannerisms, and he began using a paler golden yellow varnish.
- General Characteristics
- Cecie Stainer describes his violins as appearing to be made on a German model, very arched, with small sound-holes and a red-brown varnish, resulting in a rather heavy overall effect. However, the work was carefully done. Lütgendorff notes that his early work was clumsy, with a high arch and deep fluting. The F-holes were reminiscent of Stainer, and the scroll was peculiar and elongated. The ribs were high and without flame, the lower ribs were made from one piece, and the two-piece back had a narrow flame. The varnish was red.
- Varnish
- A violin described by Cecie Stainer featured a spirit varnish that was rather transparent.
- Eve. Md. Luthier, rue S. André des
Arts, près la rue Dauphine Faubg. S. Ger
main, à la Fortune, à Paris 1757John Dilworth - Eve, luthier, rue Culture-Sainte
Catharine, 1772
A la Fortune Eve, luthier rue Vieille-du-Temple
A Paris 1788John Dilworth
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
EVE, Jacques Charles Worked circa. 1758-1790 Paris France. Established at the sign ‘A La Fortune’ at various addresses: rue Dauphine, S. Germain c.1757, rue Culture S. Catharine c. 1770, and rue Vieille-du-Temple c.1780. Early work is of Staineresque modelling with full arch and deep edge flute. Small soundholes. Elongated scroll. Red spirit varnish. Later period shows some amelioration of the more extreme mannerisms and a paler golden yellow varnish. Eve. Md. Luthier, rue S. André des / Arts, près la rue Dauphine Faubg. S. Ger / main, à la Fortune, à Paris 1757. Eve, luthier, rue Culture-Sainte / Catharine, 1772 / A la Fortune Eve, luthier rue Vieille-du-Temple / A Paris 1788
Cecie Stainer+
A maker in Paris about 1770-90. His violins look as if they were made on a German model, very arched, with small sound-holes, and red-brown varnish; rather heavy effect altogether, but the work is carefully done. In a violin with spirit varnish, rather transparent, was the label: “Eve, Me Luthier, rue Neuve-Ste-Catherine, au coin de celle de St-Louis proche la Place Rovale ‘a la Fortune’ ” Another violin is dated 1770. In 1788 he was living in the rue Vieille-du-Temple.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Er hatte das Ladenschild »À la fortune« und wohnte 1758 in der Rue
S. André des Arts, 1770 in der Rue Culture-Saint-Catharine, 1783 in der Rue
Saint-Antoine und 1788 in der Rue Ville-du-Temple No. 101. In seiner ersten
Zeit nennt er sich »Marchand Luthier« später kurzweg »Luthier«. Anfangs ist
seine Arbeit plump, die Wölbung hoch mit tiefer Hohlkehle, die F-Löcher an
Stainer erinnernd, die Schnecke eigenartig und langgezogen. Die Zargen sind
hoch und ohne Flammen, die Unterzargen aus einem Stuck, der Boden zweitheilig
und eng geflammt und der Lack roth. Der Ton seiner Geigen ist immer
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Working in Paris at the same time
(Parisse) Claude Paris worked 1770–1814
(Perrault) Perault worked 1770–1790
(Prevot) Charles Prevost worked 1775–1789
Ambroise worked 1750–1810
Andrea Castagneri worked 1730–1762
Antoine Fouquet-Lecomte worked 1775–1800
Barthelemy Moinel worked 1789
Benoist Flette worked 1755–1788