Charles Francois Gand

GAND, Charles François Born 1787 Versailles, died 1845 Paris France. Known as ‘Gand père’. Son of Charles Michel Gand, below. Apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot 1802, returning to his father’s Versailles workshop 1810. Established independently in Paris, acquiring the business of Koliker 1820. Married the adopted daughter of Lupot, and succeeded to his business 1824. He completed a set of instruments begun by Lupot for the Royal Orchestra, but this was destroyed in a fire at the Tuileries 1871. Appointed luthier to the Royal Court and Paris Conservatoire. Ranked by some as a serious rival to both Lupot and Vuillaume as a luthier. Wonderful work on Stradivari models; rather open soundholes and beautifully shaded varnish. Several Brescian copies also extant. On some instruments the fronts are made of three pieces, the middle section bent from flat stock. These are not considered so successful tonally and consequently are less sought-after. Gand, chez Lupot, / rue de Grammont, 1805 Ch. f. Gand fils / Luthier à Versailles, 1807 Gand, Luthier breveté / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 24 / Paris. Ch. F. Gand, élève de Lupot / successeur du sieur Koliker / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs 5 / Paris 1810 Ch. f. Gand, Elève de N. Lupot / Luthier, rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs No. 12, à Paris / an 1812 Gand, Luthier, élève de Lupot / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs No. 24 / Paris 1820 à 1824 Gand, Luthier de la Musique / du Roi et de l’Ecole Royale / de Musique. / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs / à Paris Gand, Luthier du Conservatoire de Musique / rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. 1835 Gand, Luthier de la Musique du Roi / et du Conservatoire de Musique / Paris 18..

He became the pupil of Nicolas Lupot in the year 1802. During his apprenticeship he proved himself an excellent maker, and was much valued by his famous instructor. He married the daughter of Lupot, and succeeded him in the Rue Croix des Petits Champs in the year 1824. The career of François Gand was one of much activity. As a repairer of the works of the great masters he early obtained a high reputation, and perhaps restored more valuable instruments than any repairer of his time. The care that he took and the judgment which he exercised in endeavouring to bring together the various broken parts of an imperfect instrument, that the original appearance might be maintained as closely as possible, cannot be too highly praised. He often accomplished seeming impossibilities. Splintered cracks were by his ingenuity closed as though no fibre had been severed, while at other times, pieces were inserted so deftly that the most experienced eyes might fail to detect their presence. It was with him a labour of love, and he did not scruple to spend days over work on which others would only spend hours. He made many Violins, several of which were given as prizes at the Paris Conservatoire. They are well-made instruments, though heavy in appearance. They are good serviceable instruments, and, the wood not having been browned by baking or other injurious process, age mellows them greatly. He died in the year 1845.

Eldest son of Charles Michel Gand, b. Aug. 5, 1787, Versailles; d. May 10, 1845, Paris. First worked at Versailles with his father; in 1802 was apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot, of Paris ; he remained for four years, returning to his father July 17, 1806. In 1810 he again went to Paris, and started his own business at 5, rue Croix-des-petits-Champs ; in 1820 he bought Koliker’s property at No. 24, in the same street, where he remained till his death.
In 1824 he succeeded Lupot, whose daughter he had married. He followed in Lupot’s footsteps, making his instruments with the same care and ability, never letting an instrument leave his shop which was not entirely made by his own hands; he used brilliant red-brown varnish, rather thick in quality. Lupot left unfinished an order for the Royal Orchestra ; Gand completed it, making 6 violins, 3 violas, 5 violoncellos, and 4 double-basses between 1824 and 1828. These beautiful specimens of his work were unfortunately destroyed when the Tuileries was burnt down in 1871.
He was especially skilful in repairing old instruments, owing to his great knowledge of Italian work. Appointed” Luthier du Conservatoire,” he for some time made the violins and violoncellos given as prizes to the pupils.
Labels : ” Gand chez Lupot, rue de Grammont, 1805,” used when in Lupot’s workshop;
” Ch, F. Gand fils, luthier Versailles, 1807,” used when working with his father;
He had two sons, both makers, Charles Adolphe and Charles Nicolas Eugene.

Sohn von Michel G. Würdiger Schüler, Schwiegersohn und seit 1824 auch
Nachfolger Nic. Lupot’s. Von 1807 bis 1810 war er in Versailles ansässig und
ging dann nach Paris, wo er zunächst in der Rue des Petits-Champs No. 5 und
seit 1820 in derselben Strasse No. 24 seine Werkstatt aufschlug. 1820 kaufte
er das Geschäft und den Nachlass Koliker’s und übernahm nach Lupot’s Tode
1824 auch dessen Werkstatt. Er war unstreitig der bedeutendste französische
Geigenmacher seiner Zeit, unübertroffen in der Sorgfalt und künstlerischen Durchführung