Carlo (I) Guadagnini

History

Carlo (I) Guadagnini (1768-1816) was born in 1768 in Parma and died in 1816 in Turin, Italy. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his parentage. According to John Dilworth in The Brompton's Book of Violin & Bow Makers, he was the son, pupil, and successor of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. However, Willibald Leo Lütgendorff in Die Geigen- und Lautenmacher vom Mittelalter bis zur Gegenwart, George Hart in The Violin, and Cecie Stainer in A Dictionary of Violin Makers state he was the son of Gaetano (I) Guadagnini, with Stainer adding he was the grandson of Giambattista Guadagnini. After his father's death, Carlo worked with his brother Gaetano as 'Fratelli Guadagnini', focusing on making guitars and carrying out violin repairs and adjustments. As his brother Gaetano had no heirs, the business passed to Carlo's eldest son, Gaetano (II), upon Gaetano's death in 1817.

Craft

• Primary Work: Carlo (I) Guadagnini was chiefly known as a maker of guitars and a repairer of violins.
• Violin Characteristics: Few violins by him are recorded. One example noted by John Dilworth features a scroll very much in the style of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini, characterized by a slightly eccentric outline with prominent, protruding corners, a slightly coarse finish, and yellow-amber varnish.
• Labels: His instruments bear labels such as 'Carlo Guadagnini fece / in Torino nell’anno .. / C.G.T.' and 'Carlo Guadagnini fece / in Torino nell’anno .. / Dirimpetto a Facaldo./ C.G.T.'

Influence

• Mentorship: According to John Dilworth, he was a pupil of Giovanni Battista Guadagnini.
• Collaboration: He worked alongside his brother Gaetano under the name 'Fratelli Guadagnini'.

Legacy

• Family Continuity: Carlo (I) Guadagnini left three sons, Gaetano (II), Giuseppe, and Felice, who all became violin makers.
• Business Succession: The family business was passed down to his eldest son, Gaetano (II), after the death of Carlo's brother Gaetano in 1817.
• Sons' Focus: His sons primarily dedicated their attention to the restoration of old instruments rather than new construction.

Further Information

• Locations: He was born in Parma and worked and died in Turin, Italy.
• Workshop Address: One of his labels indicates a workshop location 'Dirimpetto a Facaldo' in Turin.

Summary

Carlo (I) Guadagnini (1768-1816) was an Italian luthier, born in Parma and active in Turin. He was involved in the renowned Guadagnini family of instrument makers, though sources conflict on whether he was the son of Giovanni Battista or Gaetano (I) Guadagnini. He worked with his brother Gaetano as 'Fratelli Guadagnini', primarily making guitars and performing violin repairs. His few recorded violins show stylistic similarities to Giovanni Battista Guadagnini. Carlo's legacy continued through his three sons, Gaetano (II), Giuseppe, and Felice, who also became instrument makers, focusing largely on restoration.