Matteo Goffriller is one of the most important Venetian violin makers of the 18th Century. He was a devoted servant to his art and it shows in every instrument he made. The quality of his craftsmanship is seen in the instruments he left, with remarkable sounds and beautiful design. He did not only create excellent violins and cellos but also was a highly respected maker during his time.
A Violin by Matteo Goffriller, Venice, c. 1720
This violin was made around the year 1720 during the golden age of Venice violin making, when some of the greatest violin makers were active in the city. Goffriller’s workmanship is remarkable for its technical proficiency and elegance of design, as well as its distinctive sound quality and projection.
The violin is known for its outstanding quality—the instrument has been described as having “a voice like no other”. The violin has been crafted with the finest materials, including a two-piece, medium-width grain spruce top with bear claw figures. A fine violin by the Venetian luthier Matteo Goffriller is a valuable work of one of the last Venetian makers of the great golden age of Venice. 18th century instruments are becoming more rarely encountered on the market and appear to be much sought after.
“When I met the Amorim family for the first time in Cremona I felt a big trust from the start. They helped me to find my top level instrument with patience and professionalism. I appreciate the close collaboration which I can only recommend especially for those who are in the middle of the process to find their own Instrument. I bought a wonderful violin by Matteo Goffriller in the Amorim Workshop in Cremona”
Julian Fahrner, Concertmaster
Matteo Goffriller (1659 – 1742) – Venice, Italy
Considered to be one of the founders of the classical Venetian school. From 1690 to 1715, he was the principal source of new stringed instruments in the city. His making was unique at that time, widely known for its innovation and high quality, which later influenced all Venetian violin makers, including Domenico Montagnana, Santo Serafin, Carlo Tononi and Pietro Guarneri.
He had probably learned the art of violin making before he arrived in Venice, with, apparently, Matthias Albani, around the city where he was born, Bressanone, in the Italian Alps; however, he still entered Venice’s violin making school to strengthen his roots. He collaborated with another violin maker, Mathias Kaiser, who became his father-in-law later in life. In 1690 he inherited Mathias’s workshop, establishing his own in Venice’s center,
In his work, it is possible to see some Cremonese makers influences, such as the flat arching like Strad and the Amati patterned layout. His instruments feature an expressive force and a great beauty, of which some have even been wrongly attributed to Stradivari in the past. He had a strong influence in the development of the typical deep red varnish, which later became the main characteristic of the venetian style. At that time, Vivaldi was working as a violin teacher in a place where orphan girls were taught music. Vivaldi, was the one responsible for dealing with violin makers to acquire new instruments for the institution. As for that, Vivaldi and Matteo Goffriller not only knew each other but also did business together!
The school of violin making in venice
Venice has always been one of the most active music centers in Europe. The Venetian instruments’; unique characteristics are due to the combination of the knowledge of the luthiers that found their way to the golden city on the sea. The city’s affluence and cultural vitality made it possible for the art of violin making to be well established at that time. Violin making in Venice started from the mid-1500s until nowadays. Its style is easily recognizable when compared to other cities in Italy, mainly its reddish varnish color. At that time, the Venetian artisans believed that their craft had to be as beautiful as the beauty present in the city, as well as with its best functionality.
Fine violins, violas and cellos
A fine Goffriller violin was recently sold by Amorim Fine Violins Cremona to a German concertmaster. Goffriler’s work is known to be very clean and precise and his instruments are sought after by all types of musicians. Amorim Fine Violins Cremona is a respected violin shop that buys, sells, and restores instruments of the violin family.
If you are in search of fine instrument let us provide it to you so you can uniquely express yourself in your entirety. Check out our current options of fine violins, violas and cellos available for sale.
Amorim Fine Violins is a violin, viola, and cello workshop based in Cremona. Our mission is to provide musicians with instruments so they can uniquely express themselves. We are a family business, just like the workshops of Stradivari and Guarneri. Founded in 2001 by the renowned violin maker Luiz Amorim and his wife, Betina Schreiner. We bring our fine arts experience into the violin-making field. .
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