Born at Versailles, 1787. Known as “Gand Père”. Son of Charles Michel with whom he first worked. Apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot at Paris, 1802. Returned to father’s workshop, 1806. Established own business at Paris, 1810. Bought Koliker’s property, 1820. Succeeded Lupot, 1824, whose daughter he had married. Died 1845. It is the attribute of genius, and the sincerity accompanying it, to attract only the homage of the few, and never of the many; for inasmuch as all see not with the same eyes, and are not endowed with like understanding, a variety of opinions is the natural result. We too often speak of what pleases us rather than of what we comprehend, applauding or condemning, not according to our judgement, but to what fancy or taste dictates. Perhaps there is no class which includes within it, men of genius so subjected to these whims or vagaries of appreciation as violin makers, especially during their life-time, whose works are tried by standards often diametrically opposed to each other - elevated or depreciated by mere caprice and not by knowledge and unprejudiced views. It is sometimes well for the maker’s fame that he has in posterity a more righteous judge than in his contemporaries, for the world frequently accords to the dead what it denied to the living. Early instruments of Gand (being built very substantially, and absolutely free of any faking, thinning, or chemical impregnation of the wood), did not make much headway for quite a good number of years. Violinists objected to the newness of tone, they failed to see the magic of the design, the strength of its proportions, and the fineness of the varnish, all complementary to splendid tone. New instruments however must inevitably fall under this obloquy, and the violin maker must realise it. Therefore we admire the man who builds for posterity, and so sincerely avoids the premature ageing and imitative “worn varnishing” which has and always will deceive the oft-times credulous public. Catalogues (1930) give the figure of £120 for best specimens. These massively constructed instruments though closely following in the footsteps of Lupot, have a character distinctly individual. Outline and arching completely majestic. General measurements: body length 14-1/4 inches; upper bouts, 6-3/4; lower, 8-1/4. Scrolls very powerfully conceived, finely broad when viewed from the back. Sound-holes and purfling definitely surrounded by the highest art principles. Every little bit of workmanship shows refinement most conspicuously. Brilliant and strong varnish of very fine texture, light red or brownish red on a yellow ground, very plentifully applied all over. He seems to have sometimes left patches of yellow on the margins where the hands mostly touch. Generally on each shoulder and at the bottom of each side. Always superb wood. Tonal quality truly brilliant and magnificently mellowing with the purifying elements of legitimate age. Especially interesting are the Maggini model violins. Constructed (in later life) instruments on an original plan of having bellies harmonically arranged in three parts in order to give greater resistance to the pressure of the strings; the middle portion being shaped by heat. Achieved very little success with these, and their value has steadily fallen. His capabilities as a good violinist were recognised. All Parisian amateurs and professionals continually stepped into his premises for a few minutes converse. Visiting virtuosi and collectors entrusted their valuable instruments to his sagacious repairing, and for a few years he had no superior in Europe. Honoured with appointments to the King and to the Conservatoire. Made special violins and ’cellos for presentation to the prize-winning students at that institution. Completed Lupot’s unfinished set of instruments for the Royal orchestra, magnificent affairs unfortunately destroyed when the Tuileries was burnt down in 1871. £100 (1959).
Born at Versailles, 1787. Known as “Gand Père”. Son of Charles Michel with whom he first worked. Apprenticed to Nicolas Lupot at Paris, 1802. Returned to father’s workshop, 1806. Established own business at Paris, 1810. Bought Koliker’s property, 1820. Succeeded Lupot, 1824, whose daughter he had married. Died 1845. It is the attribute of genius, and the sincerity accompanying it, to attract only the homage of the few, and never of ...
Harlesran,Andandre
