In Focus: a 1682 violin by Nicolò Amati

1682 Amati crop

Precision and elegance abound in this grand pattern Amati once owned by the Italian virtuoso Spagnoletti, writes Christopher Reuning

It is fortunate that Nicolò Amati survived the plague and subsequent famine that swept Europe in 1630. It was this plague that halted violin making in Brescia and would also have done so in rival Cremona, had Nicolò not been the lone surviving violin maker there. He was 33 years old and probably already taking a lead role in the workshop of his father, Girolamo, who became a victim of the plague in that year.

Already subscribed? Please sign in

Subscribe to continue reading…

We’re delighted that you are enjoying our website. For a limited period, you can try an online subscription to The Strad completely free of charge.

  • Free 7-day trial

    Not sure about subscribing? Sign up now to read this article in full and you’ll also receive unlimited access to premium online content, including the digital edition and online archive for 7 days.

    No strings attached – we won’t ask for your card details

  • Subscribe 

    No more paywalls. To enjoy the best in-depth features and analysis from The Strad’s latest and past issues, upgrade to a subscription now. You’ll also enjoy regular issues and special supplements* and access to an online archive of issues back to 2010.

 

* Issues and supplements are available as both print and digital editions. Online subscribers will only receive access to the digital versions.