Guarneri facts for kids

The Guarneri family was a group of very famous violin makers. They lived in Cremona, Italy, during the 1600s and 1700s. Along with the Amati family and Stradivari, they created some of the best violins ever made.

Andrea Guarneri: The Start of a Famous Family

Andrea Guarneri (born around 1626, died December 7, 1698) was an important violin maker. He learned his skills in the workshop of Nicolo Amati. Andrea worked there from 1641 to 1646. He returned to make violins for Amati again from 1650 to 1654.

Andrea married a wealthy woman. They bought a large house, which became known as the "Casa Guarneri." They had seven children. Two of his sons, Pietro Giovanni and Giuseppe Giovanni, also became violin makers. Andrea Guarneri made some excellent violas. One of his violas was played by the famous musician William Primrose in the early 20th century.

Pietro Giovanni Guarneri: The Musician Maker

Pietro Giovanni Guarneri (born February 18, 1655, died March 26, 1720) was Andrea's son. He was known as Peter of Mantua (Pietro da Mantova). This helped people tell him apart from his nephew, who was also named Pietro Guarneri.

Pietro Giovanni worked in his father's workshop from about 1670 until he got married in 1677. By 1683, he had moved to Mantua. There, he worked as both a musician and a violin maker. His instruments are often considered better than his father's. However, he did not make as many instruments. This was because he spent a lot of his time playing music. None of his children became violin makers. The famous violinist Joseph Szigeti played one of Pietro Giovanni's instruments.

Giuseppe Giovanni Battista Guarneri: Continuing the Legacy

Andrea's younger son was Giuseppe Giovanni Battista Guarneri (born November 25, 1666, died around 1739 or 1740). He was known as filius Andreae, meaning "son of Andrea." He joined his father's violin-making business in Cremona. When his father died in 1698, Giuseppe Giovanni Battista took over the workshop. He is considered one of the greatest violin makers of all time.

Giuseppe Giovanni Battista had two sons who also became instrument makers. They were Pietro Guarneri and Bartolomeo.

Pietro Guarneri: Peter of Venice

Pietro Guarneri (born April 14, 1695, died April 7, 1762) was Giuseppe Giovanni Battista's son. He was known as Peter of Venice (Pietro da Venezia). He made some instruments that are as wonderful as those made by his father. One of his cellos was played by the famous musician Beatrice Harrison.

Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri: The Master of "del Gesù"

Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri (born August 21, 1698, died October 17, 1744) was also known as Joseph. He is often called del Gesù. This is because his labels always had the letters I.H.S. (iota-eta-sigma) and a Roman cross. Many people believe he was the finest violin maker from the Amati line of students.

Giuseppe del Gesù's instruments are different from others made by his family. They are thought to be among the greatest violins ever made, second only to those by Stradivari. The very famous violin player Niccolò Paganini loved his Guarneri del Gesù violin from 1743. The "Lord Wilton" Guarneri del Gesù violin, made in 1742, was owned by Yehudi Menuhin. Other famous del Gesù players in the 20th century included Arthur Grumiaux, Jascha Heifetz, Isaac Stern, and Henryk Szeryng.