Violin Maker
Gennaro Gagliano

Maker Background

The Gagliano family is a celebrated lineage of Italian violin makers with a legacy dating back to the 17th century. The family's craftsmanship has left an indelible mark on the world of violin-making. The Gagliano family's enduring presence in the world of violin making, spanning nearly two centuries, contributed to Naples becoming a significant hub for violin production. Their instruments, each crafted with a unique style, catered to evolving customer preferences and maintained a reputation for quality.

Gennaro Gagliano, the son of Alessandro Gagliano and brother of Nicolò, occupies a prominent position in the esteemed Neapolitan violin-making tradition. Born in around 1705, Gennaro's craftsmanship flourished from the 1730s to the early 1780s, leaving behind a legacy of exquisite instruments. Renowned for his individual creative style and profound understanding of instrument acoustics, Gennaro's violins bear elegant body modelling, refined arching, and meticulously crafted f-holes, culminating in a crystal-clear, resonant sound. Gennaro's varnish was fond of orange-yellow, which set the benchmark of becoming the standard violin in the family as they proceeded towards the last years of the 18th century.

Influenced by the Cremonese masters, notably Amati and Stradivari, Gennaro's work exhibits a unique fusion of personal style and classical cremonese elements, and do not reflect his father’s creativity. According to the experts, Gennaro was known to be one of the greatest luthiers in the family and made some quality violins that exceeded expectations and kept his father’s name alive in the end results. Regarded even higher than his brother Nicolò by experts, Gennaro's mastery shines through in his distinct masterpieces. Gennaro apparently had no violin maker descendent, but his approach and style are found widely in the instruments of his nephew Ferdinando, who worked directly with him. Both seem to have been a particular branch of the family tradition.