Dictionary of Makers

Son of Alessandro Gagliano and brother of Nicola, Gennaro Gagliano is considered one ofthe best makers ofthe family. He appears not to have inherited the individ- uality of his father, and turned instead to Stradivari and Amati for his inspiration. Stradivari's influence is particu- larly clear in the magnificent cello onpp. 210-211, with the chamfers of the pegbox blackened and with its beautifully cut, elegantfholes.

 

Gennaro's varnish differs from that of his brother, Nicola, in that he tended to use a deeper, red-orange pigment rather than the orange-yellow that became the standard in the family towards the end of the 18th century. Although Gennaro did not have any direct violin-making descend- ants, it is widely accepted that he was the teacher of his nephew, Ferdinando