Giuseppe Ornati

Giuseppe Ornati - (1887 in Albairate near Milan – 1965 in Milan) was an Italian violin maker or Luthier.

Biography

Considered to be one of the greatest violin makers of his time, he trained as a carpenter and then received the first notions of violin making from the amateur maker Carlo Moneta. Towards 1903, he went to work at the workshop of Leandro Bisiach, where he stayed for some years working alongside Gaetano Sgarabotto. Distinguished from the outset by the skill and precision of his work, he made many instruments and carried out repairs for Bisiach until 1919, by which time he already had his own workshop.

A prize-winner at the competition of Rome in 1920 and in numerous exhibitions, he taught at the violin-making school in Cremona from 1961 to 1963. His production is characterized by accuracy and elegance.

References

• Worked at Milan 1915. Gold medals at Rome (1923), and Milan (1924).

External links

• La Liuteria Italiana / Italian Violin Making in the 1800s and 1900s - Umberto Azzolina
• La Liuteria Lombarda del '900 - Roberto Codazzi, Cinzia Manfredini 2002
• Dictionary of 20th Century Italian Violin Makers - Marlin Brinser 1978
• Liuteria Parmense

View a fine example of Giuseppe Ornati violin Milan circa 1921 close-up:

• Giuseppe Ornati Milan 1921 top.
• Giuseppe Ornati Milan 1921 back.
• Giuseppe Ornati Milan 1921 scroll.