Giovanni Battista Ceruti

Born in Sesto Cremonese in 1756.

Carlo II Bergonzi was born around the same time.

According to the writings of Count Sarabue, who was a violin enthusiast, Cerruti was a pupil of Count Luigi Maggi.

Although no traces of Count Maggi's own instruments or work remain, some connection with Cerruti can be confirmed through correspondence between Count Sarabue and Count Maggi.

However, Cerruti originally worked as a fabric weaver and began making violins when he was nearly 40 years old.

Furthermore, Cerruti's early instruments were strongly influenced by the Bergonzi brothers (Nicola Bergonzi 1754-1832 / Carlo(ll) Bergonzi 1757-1836), and it is thought that he learned the techniques of violin making from them.

It has also been suggested that he had a master-disciple relationship with Lorenzo Storioni (1744-1816), who was 12 years older than him, and it is believed that he ended up taking over Storioni's work after Storioni left Cremona in 1802.

Later, he worked as almost the only violin maker in Cremona, together with his son Giuseppe (Giuseppe Antonio Ceruti 1785-1860), incorporating Storioni's style.

I have used a variety of materials, usually locally sourced wood with poor growth rings and grain.

Generally, they are varnished with a somewhat dark color, giving the impression of being roughly made, but they have a wonderful tone.

He was an important figure in the late Cremonese school of violin making, which had fallen into decline in the 19th century, and passed it on from his son Giuseppe to his grandson Enrico (Enrico Ceruti 1806-1883) and then to Gaetano Antoniazzi (Gaetano Antoniazzi 1825-1897).

He died in Cremona in 1817 (age 60).

Quote《The Brompton's Book of Violin and Bow Makers》

《The late Cremonese Violin makers》