have the same
falling off as in the case of the Gagliani, a family beginning with
artists, and ending with common workmen.

GRULLI, Pietro, Cremona. Contemporary.

GUADAGNINI, Lorenzo, Cremona, 1695 to about 1740.

Laurentius Guadagnini
Cremonae Alumnus Stradivari
fecit Anno Domini 17--

No matter to which of the Guadagnini the instrument may owe its
origin, if it bears the name, importance is attached to it, often
without due regard to the merits of the particular specimen. The later
members of the family have thus received attention measured by the
excellence of the work of their forefathers. That this should be so,
to a certain extent, can scarcely excite surprise, nor is it singular
in the Italian branch of the art. The great makers of the Guadagnini
family were Lorenzo and Giovanni Battista. The former has been
considered the chief maker; but if the merits of each be duly weighed,
they will be found to be nearly equal. It is probable that Lorenzo has
been looked upon as the principal maker from the association of his
name with that of Antonio Stradivari, a fact which, it must be
granted, lends to it a certain degree of importance.

The instruments of Lorenzo are exceedingly bold in design, and differ
in this respect from those of Giovanni Battista, which retain much of
the delicate form of Stradivari. Lorenzo frequently changed the form
of his sound-hole, giving it the pointed character of Giuseppe
Guarneri in some instances, and in others retaining the type of
sound-hole perfected by his master. The model is inclined to flatness,
the declivity being of the gentlest kind: the breadth of the design
commands admiration. The scroll is certainly not an imitation of that
of Stradivari; it has considerable originality, and is more attractive
on that account than for its beauty. The varnish is not so brilliant
as that of Giovanni Battista, but possesses a mellowness foreign to
the other members of the family. The tone is powerful, tempered with a
rich quality.

Lorenzo Guadagnini was born at Piacenza, and upon leaving the workshop
of his master returned to his native town, where he remained until
about the year 1695, at which period he is said to have removed to
Milan. In the last mentioned city he continued to work until about the
year 1740.[6]

[Footnote 6: This and other information relative to the Guadagnini
family I have obtained from its descendants at Turin.]

GUADAGNINI, Giovanni Battista,