Giuseppe Guarneri

Bartolomeo Giuseppe "del Gesù" Guarneri (/ɡwɑːrˈnɛəri/,^[1]^[2] UK also /-ˈnɪər-/,^[3] Italian: [dʒuˈzɛppe ɡwarˈnɛːri]; 21 August 1698 – 17 October 1744) was an Italian luthier from the Guarneri family of Cremona. He rivals Antonio Stradivari (1644–1737) with regard to the respect and reverence accorded his instruments, and for many prominent players and collectors his instruments are the most coveted of all. Instruments made by Guarneri are often referred to as Del Gesùs.

Guarneri is known as del Gesù (literally "of Jesus") because his labels after 1731 incorporated the nomen sacrum, IHS (iota-eta-sigma) and a cross fleury.^[4]^[5]^[6] His instruments diverged significantly from family tradition, becoming uniquely his own style. They are considered equal in quality to those of Stradivari, and claimed by some to be superior. Guarneri's violins often have a darker, more robust, and more sonorous tone than Stradivari's. Fewer than 200 of Guarneri's instruments survive. They are all violins, although one cello bearing his father's label, dated 1731, seems to have been completed by del Gesù. The quality and scarcity of his instruments have resulted in sale prices in excess of $10 million USD.

An asteroid has been named 19185 Guarneri in his honour.^[7]

^ "Guarneri, Giuseppe". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.^{[dead link]}
^ "Guarneri". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
^ "Guarneri". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved 9 August 2019.
^ Hill, William Henry; Hill, Arthur F.; Hill, Afred Ebsworth (1931). The Violin-Makers of the Guarneri Family (1626–1762): Their Life and Work. London: William E. Hill & Sons, Violin-Makers – via Anthony J. Guarnieri, The Guarneri Violin Labels Page.
^ Andy Fein (luthier), Guarnerius del Gesu: Outlier Violin Maker (with photo of Guarneri label), Fein Violins website, 4 December 2011, accessed 4 May 2020
^ [1], Plate 8: Labels used by Italian violin makers, p. 16
^ "MPC 42677 9 May 2001" (PDF).

[1] "Guarneri, Giuseppe". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press.^{[dead link]}

[2] "Guarneri". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 9 August 2019.

[3] "Guarneri". Collins English Dictionary. HarperCollins. Retrieved 9 August 2019.

[4] Hill, William Henry; Hill, Arthur F.; Hill, Afred Ebsworth (1931). The Violin-Makers of the Guarneri Family (1626–1762): Their Life and Work. London: William E. Hill & Sons, Violin-Makers – via Anthony J. Guarnieri, The Guarneri Violin Labels Page.

[5] Andy Fein (luthier), Guarnerius del Gesu: Outlier Violin Maker (with photo of Guarneri label), Fein Violins website, 4 December 2011, accessed 4 May 2020

[6] [1], Plate 8: Labels used by Italian violin makers, p. 16

[7] "MPC 42677 9 May 2001" (PDF).

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