Cremona School
Giacinto Rugeri
Cremona, 1661–1697
Giacinto Rugeri (1661-1697) was a Cremonese violin maker, son and pupil of Francesco Rugeri. He worked in a similar style to his father, though his craftsmanship is often described as slightly less refined. He is noted for building instruments on a broad, highly arched model with distinctive large scrolls and upright sound-holes. Giacinto primarily focused on 'cellos, which are highly regarded for their outstanding tone and good quality dark-brown varnish. Sources discuss whether he was also known as Gio Battista. Very few authenticated works by him are known today.
Auction price history
Highest auction price
| Type | Details | Sold | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violin | 35.1 cm Cremona, 1690 | June 2011 | £126,000 |
| Cello | 72.3 cm Cremona, 1700 c. [Ascribed to] | March 2010 | £48,000 |
| Violin | 35.2 cm [Ascribed to] | February 2006 | £38,400 |
| Violin | 1690 c. | March 1987 | £24,200 |
Maker Overview
Life
Giacinto RUGERI (1661-1697) was an Italian violin maker from Cremona, active between approximately 1666 and 1698. He was the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri, preceding his father in death. worked in the same manner as his father, though perhaps lacking some of his skill. Sources contain conflicting information regarding his identity; while Lütgendorff states that Giacinto was not identical with Gio Battista, and Jalovec inclines to the same opinion, Lütgendorff also notes that Giacinto called himself Gio Battista on his older labels before later using only Giacinto, always asserting he was Francesco's son. John Dilworth cites labels such as 'Giacinto filio di Francesco / Rugier detto il' from 1692 and 'Giacinto filio di Francesco / Ruggieri detto il' from 1696.
Characteristics
- Model
- Giacinto Rugeri built his instruments on a large, broad model with a still higher arching than that designed by his father, and his model is described by Henri Poidras as a little more substantial in build with more pronounced arching.
- Workmanship
- His work is generally considered slighter and more delicate than that of other family members, featuring slender extended corners. While excellent, his work is not quite equal to that of his father, and his instruments are not always finished with the same care.
- Scrolls
- The shapely scrolls are rather large, though John Dilworth notes they can be a little weaker.
- Sound-holes
- His sound-holes are delicately cut, longer, and more upright than those of his father.
- Varnish
- He applied a dark-brown varnish of good quality.
- Specialization
- Giacinto devoted most of his time to building 'cellos, which are considered very good. He also used various wood types.
- Tone
- The tone of his instruments is outstanding and very good.
- Giacinto filio di Francesco / Rugier detto il per 1692John Dilworth
- Giacinto filio di Francesco / Ruggieri detto il per 1696John Dilworth
Influence and legacy
- Mentorship: Giacinto Rugeri was the son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri.
- Style: He worked in the same manner as his father, and his work corresponds to his school.
- Authenticated Works: Very few authenticated works by Giacinto Rugeri are presently known.
- Notable Instruments: A violoncello bearing his label is in the possession of Mr. G. Foster Cooke.
Biographies
The overview above is drawn from the following published accounts. Read them in the original:
John Dilworth+
RUGERI, Giacinto Born 1661, died 1697 Cremona Italy. Son, pupil, and assistant of Francesco Rugeri, above. Predeceased his father. Very few authenticated works presently known. Generally slighter and more delicate than the work of other family members, with slender extended corners and the scroll a little weaker. Giacinto filio di Francesco / Rugier detto il per 1692 Giacinto filio di Francesco / Ruggieri detto il per 1696
George Hart+
Son of Francesco Ruggeri. A Violoncello bearing this label is in the possession of Mr. G. Foster Cooke.
Willibald Leo Lütgendorff+
Sohn von Francesco R. und dessen Schüler. Auf seinen älteren Zetteln nennt er sich Gio Battista, später aber nur Giacinto und beruft sich dabei darauf, ein Sohn Francesco’s zu sein. Seine Arbeit entspricht seiner Schule; auch er machte hauptsächlich Violoncelli und verwendete allerlei Holzarten. Sein Modell ist breit, ziemlich gewölbt, der Ton sehr gut und der Lack von dunkelbrauner Farbe. Er kommt seinem Vater zwar nicht ganz gleich, ist aber doch sein würdiger Schüler.
Henri Poidras+
Son and pupil of Francesco Ruggieri. Excellent work but not quite equal to that of his father. His model is a little more substantial in build and the arching more pronounced. Brown varnish, rather dark and of good quality.
Karel Jalovec+
Cremona. 1666 — 1698. Son of Francesco and probably his pupil, for he worked in the same manner as his father, lacking, however, to some extent the latter’s skill. According to Luttgendorff, Giacinto was not identical with Gio Battista, but they were two different violin makers. (We incline to the same opinion, but without definite evidence. Giacinto may have been a nickname. Our efforts to throw more light on the lineage of the Ruggeri and Roggeri families have been hampered by Naziism, war and the unsettled conditions afterwards. We hope, however, to succeed later.) Giacinto Ruggeri built his instruments on a large, broad model with a still higher arching than that designed by his father. The shapely scrolls are rather large, the delicately cut sound-holes longer and more upright than those of his father. The dark-brown varnish he applied is of good quality. He devoted most of his time to the building of ‘cellos which are very good, although they are not finished with such care as those of his father. The tone of his instruments is outstanding. Price 120-160.000 Kc.
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Family
Antonio Rugeri Son
Working in Cremona at the same time
Aegidius Barzellini worked 1670–1720
Andrea Guarneri 1623–1698
Antonio Stradivari 1644–1737
Carlo Rugeri 1666–1713
Francesco Rugeri (Ruggieri) 1620–1698
Giacomo Gennaro 1627–1701
Giovanni Battista Rogeri 1642–1705
Girolamo (Hieronymus) (II) Amati 1649–1740