Discover the genius of Antonio Stradivari
Step into the world of Antonio Stradivari, the master luthier whose unparalleled craftsmanship and relentless pursuit of perfection set the standard for excellence. This six-volume collection is not just a comprehensive reference; it's an invitation to discover the brilliance and innovation that defined Stradivari's legacy.
Immerse yourself in Stradivari's journey of mastery. The chronological order and stunning photography showcase his early experiments with materials and shapes, leading to the creation of instruments that have captivated audiences for centuries. This collection offers a rare glimpse into the mind of a true genius, revealing his timeless art in all its fullness.
Whether you are a musician, a collector, or one who is driven by a passion for excellence, Stradivari's legacy will inspire you to strive for greatness in your own endeavors. Discover how his meticulous attention to detail and innovative spirit can serve as a powerful blueprint for achieving mastery in any craft.
A landmark publication
All known Strads
Spanning 6 volumes and 2000 pages, the publication gathers all known Stradivari instruments. All violins, violas and celli but also guitars, lutes, a viola da gamba, a bow and a harp offer an interesting insight into the life of the most famous Cremonese violin workshop.
Unprecedented Scale
It took 9 years of meticulous research to gather and organise a phenomenal amount of data. Detailed provenances with dimensions, labels and certificate information for some 845 instruments. Most of them accompanied by stunning photography.
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronological analysis has been systematically applied for the first time to all instruments with high-resolution images. This relatively new scientific tool dates the wood on the instrument's front, offering valuable insights for expertise.
Practical Design
Beautifully printed and bound in Italy, the volumes measure 300 x 360mm and offer an optimal reading experience. The elegant Parisian-grey slipcases, each housing two volumes, come equipped with ribbons for seamless handling.
Enjoy our short videos, which bring the Stradivari project to life
A Word from the Authors
Simon Morris and Steven Smith
The creation of this publication has been as rewarding as it has been challenging. The scale of Antonio Stradivari’s achievement over his long and productive lifetime is staggering: over eight hundred instruments are recorded and the great majority of these are extant.
We see this publication both as our contribution to safeguarding the legacy of Antonio Stradivari and as a valuable service that we can provide to current and future custodians of these instruments. And to lead this once-in-a-lifetime undertaking we invited John Dilworth and Duane Rosengard, two remarkable scholars whose expertise in fine-stringed instruments and the Cremonese tradition spans some forty years across both sides of the Atlantic.
Clearly, the scale of work surpasses the capacity and resources of one dealer, so we are grateful to peers and institutions for their generosity in sharing information and expertise. We hope that you will enjoy this publication as a reference book, a testament to one remarkable man’s lifetime of work, and an inspiration to all craftspeople, as well as a work of beauty in its own right.
(Left) Simon Morris, the former co-Managing Director of J&A Beare. (Right) Steven Smith, owner and Managing Director of J&A Beare.
Our Institutional Partners
The publication benefitted from unprecedented support from major institutions worldwide
The publication also benefited from great support from collectors, dealers and colleagues who generously shared their records for this project.
A luthier who defined violin craftsmanship for all generations to come.
Antonio Stradivari (1644-1737) was a perfectionist and an innovator. From adolescence through his 93rd year, he constantly experimented with the shape, varnish and materials of the violin, seeking the perfect tone that could project a universe of sound to the farthest reaches of the largest concert hall. His prolific output includes some of the most beautiful stringed instruments ever made, whose craftsmanship has yet to be equalled even with modern skills and technology.
Today, his keen spirit and passion live on in his work and continue to inspire generation after generation of players and violin-makers.
