Violin, Vincenzo Ventapane, Naples, 1770

Until the mid-19^th century, the Gagliano dynasty dominated violinmaking in Naples. One of the few luthiers who could hold his own against the family’s predominance thanks to his individual style was Vincenzo Ventapane. Notwithstanding, his instruments have features reminiscent of Gagliano. Ventapane’s violin from 1770 is patterned on a very large, powerful-looking model. The two-piece belly has fine, regular growth rings. A dendrochronological analysis was inconclusive. The two-piece, quarter-cut back exhibits intense, narrow and very lively flames that are not parallel to the center joint but rather come together in a slight V shape. The ribs are more widely flamed than the back. The large, perfectly round lower eyes of the upright f-holes are a striking feature of this violin. The arching begins right at the purfling with almost no fluting, and the purfling is set very close to the edge. The color of the originally black purfle strips has faded, above all on the belly. The powerful scroll has regular, deeply cut volutes and narrow eyes. Toolmarks are clearly visible in the volutes. A yellow-brown color varnish atop a very transparent ground brings out the structure of the wood beautifully.