16 Facts About Vincenzo Rugeri

Vincenzo Rugeri, was an Italian luthier of string instruments such as violins, cellos, and, violas in Cremona, Italy.

Vincenzo Rugeri's instruments are noted for their craftsmanship and tone quality.

An analysis of the body of his work reveals that the quality of Vincenzo Rugeri's instruments is remarkable, perhaps even more so than his father's.

Some instruments purported to be by Francesco Rugeri are actually the work of Vincenzo.

Vincenzo Rugeri likely followed the family to San Sebastiano and lived there until 1689 when he married.

Vincenzo Rugeri prospered as an independent violin maker in his own right despite competition with the Stradivari and Guarneri families.

Vincenzo Rugeri's confirmed works are based on the Nicolo Amati Grand Pattern model combined with a more tonally advanced lower arch.

Vincenzo Rugeri's work is characterized by a high standard of conception and workmanship and the maple wood he employed for the backs was often of fine foreign growth.

Vincenzo Rugeri used a transparent varnish ranging in color from orange to red, or brown later in his career.

Some of Vincenzo Rugeri's instruments include original "wings" of maple in the backs.

The soundholes that the Vincenzo Rugeri family used distinguishes them from other Cremonese makers- they were often stiffer, or more narrow and the curves were more upright than the Amati.

Towards the last years of the 17th century, Rugeri's shop flourished financially as evidenced by Vincenzo buying up property around his workshop.

Vincenzo Rugeri's production seems to have slowed after about 1710 probably owing to competition from the Stradivari workshop.

Vincenzo Rugeri had two sons: Francesco and Carlo Giuseppe who were listed as violin makers by trade, however there are no known surviving instruments by either of them.

The labels contained in the instruments made by the Vincenzo Rugeri family include the words "detto il Per" following the makers's name.

For example, in the San Bernardo parish, to which the Vincenzo Rugeri family belonged, there were no fewer than five other Vincenzo Rugeri families listed, including 2 of Francesco's brothers.