Giovanni Paolo Maggini (c. 1580 - c. 1630), was a string maker born in Botticino (Brescia), Italy. Maggini was a pupil of the most important violin maker of the Brescian school, Gasparo da Salò.
In spite of the wrong XIX century italian storigraphy, Maggini's early surely genuine instruments are now considered very desirable because, over their apparent naive craftsmanship are wonderful instruments. They first tended to be modified copies of his teacher's instruments. But once established on his own around the year 1606, Maggini developed his skills and experimented with his designs until he achieved a level of expertise that is still highly regarded. His violas, like these of his master, are regarded as the best in the world for the rich deep sound and power of tone.
The only known pupil of Maggini is Valentino Siani, who worked with him c.1610-1620, before he moved to Florence and started his own business.
Maggini succumbed to the bubonic plague of 1630-31 that also took another important early luthier, Girolamo Amati. This fact arouses suspicions that some of Maggini's later works are perhaps creations from a different maker since tests reveal that some instruments bearing a genuine Maggini label are from trees living after Maggini's death.
His patterns are rather large and broad in outline, but compact, with flattish arching sloping towards the purfling. His early work shows a strong Gasparo influence but is marked by rather crude workmanship. His instruments are sometimes ornamented by elegant curls of purfling, typically laid in a double line.
While acquiring a thorough knowledge of the various woods available to him, Maggini evolved his own style, and later, as a master, his own techniques of craftsmanship. He experimented frequently to improve the tone quality of his instruments and to perfect his construction methods; many of these improvements are still in use today. Maggini and Gasparo are considered the most important instrument makers of the Brescian school.
The instruments made by Maggini at the end of his career were his finest. They are known for the quality of the woods and unusually large f-holes (which are well curved and carefully finished), as well as for their exceptionally mellow tone. Many are ornamented on the back with such decorations as the St. Andrew's Cross, a clover-leaf device, tableaux, medallions, crests, or other motifs. Varnishes varied from a clear brown in his early efforts to a more brilliant transparent golden or reddish-brown color of rich quality in later instruments. The typical late-model Maggini has a double row of purfling and low sides.
Maggini is known to have made at least sixty violins, nine violas, two violoncellos, one double bass, and a few viols. His label appeared in the following forms:
Gio. Paolo Maggini in Brescia
Paolo Maggini in Brescia
Giovanni Paulo Megri
a Brescia, 1615
Maggini,Giovanni Paolo
