ANTONIO STRADIVARI
Antonio Stradivari
(1644 – December 18, 1737)
was an Italian luthier, a crafter of stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars and harps.
Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field.
The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is often used to
refer to his instruments.
Stradivari is believed to have been born in the year 1644, although his exact birth date is not docu-
mented. He was born in Italy to Alessandro Stradivari and Anna Moroni.
It is possible that in the years 1658 through 1664 he served as a pupil in workshops of Nicolò Amati, though there is much evidence to dispute this fact.
In 1680 Stradivari settled himself in the Piazza San Domenico, Cremona, and his fame as an instrument-maker was quickly established.
His originality began to show through his alterations of Amati's models. The arching was changed, the various degrees of thickness in the wood were more exactly determined, the formation of the scroll was altered, and the varnish was more highly coloured.
His instruments are recognized by a characteristic inscription in Latin:
Antonius Stradivarius Cremonensis Faciebat Anno [date]
This was made by Antonio Stradivari of Cremona, in the year...
It is generally acknowledged that his finest instruments were manufactured from 1698 to 1725 (peaking around 1715), exceeding in quality to those manufactured between 1725 and 1730.
After 1730, some of the instruments are signed
"Sotto la Desciplina d'Antonio Stradivari F. in Cremona [date]"
and were probably made by his sons, Omobono and Francesco.
Apart from violins, Stradivari also made guitars, violas, cellos, and at least one harp —
more than 1,101 instruments in all, by current estimates. Approximately 650 of these instruments
survive today.
Antonio Stradivari died in Cremona, Italy on December 18, 1737 and was buried in the Basilica of
San Domenico, in Cremona. The church was demolished in 1868, During this time, the removal of
later pavement resulted in the discovery of the stone lid to the Stradivari family vault in the
Chapel of the Rosary.
It appears from contemporary accounts (Mandelli) that Antonio Stradivari's remains were unidentifiable.
