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Neapolitan School Allessandro Gagliano (b. 1640 - d. 1725) Allessandro was the first of this long-lived family of violin makers from the region of Napoli, whose members span almost two centuries. Most of the Gagliano family made instruments based on the Stradivari model, except Allessandro. Best known for his fine celli, his instruments exhibit great character and originality, and even his varnish was distinctive; rich, limpid and deep red in color. Nicola and Gennaro Gagliano, sons of Allesandro were fine craftsmen, greatly influenced by Stradivari, and Amati. The brothers also made celli based on the Stradivari model, and developed a narrower model which was subsequently adopted by a majority of Neapolitan makers. Tyrolean School Jacobus Stainer (b.1620 - d.1683) The greatest maker of the German school of violin-making, Jacobus Stainer originally worked for Herz, the famous organ builder, before settling on the profession for which he is now famous. Few makers have been more abundantly copied. Said to have been a pupil of Nicolaus Amati, Stainer's violins were first offered for sale in the late 1630's. Pupils of note include Mattias Albani (1654), and members of the Klotz family (1670 - 1700). Highly original, Stainer's instruments, although typically small in pattern, exhibit strong edges with purfling set rather near them, well-cut f-holes, and are far more highly arched than Cremonese instruments, especially between the upper bouts. The backs reflect more curvature than the bellies, with the summit of the arch almost as wide in dimension as the bridge. The scroll is often ornately finished with a carved lion's or animal's head, otherwise, they were left blunt and rather short. Mattias Klotz (b.1656 - d.1743) Considered by many to be the founder of the violin industry in Mittenwald, Germany, a statue of Mattias Klotz erected in 1890 can still be seen there to this day. He received his first lessons from Jacobus Stainer, completing his education in Padua, Italy, under the aegis of Giovanni Railich, before returning to Mittenwald in 1678. Although not always using the best woods, his work is excellent, and the tone of his instruments noteworthy. A good number of violins made by Mattias, and other members of the prolific Klotz family, are in existence. French School Nicholas Lupot (b.1784 - d.1824) Considered the best of the French school, Nicholas Lupot has been called the "French Stradivari." Pupil of his father, François Lupot, Nicholas came with him to Orleans when he was eleven. In 1794, Lupot went to Paris to work with François-Louis Pique, before finally opening his own shop in 1798. His pupils include Bernardel and Gand. Reaching his zenith by 1810, Lupot copied Strad almost exclusively, but his copies of other great masters are also excellent. Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (b.1798 - d.1875) Son and pupil of Claude Vuillaume V, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume is said to have been one of the most perfect imitators that ever lived. Vuillaume is also reputed to have been the only nineteenth century violin maker who was able to equal the varnish of the old Italians. Enormously talented, he worked, at the age of nineteen, in the workshops of Lébé in Paris, and also with Francis Chanot. The influence of Lébé can be seen reflected in his work, and although he was taken in as a partner in 1825, Vuillaume left Lébé in 1828 to open his own shop. Jean Baptiste Vuillaume was not only a meticulous maker, but as a dealer, handled many fine instruments, and was very successful at imitating other masters, especially Antonio Stradivari. Many instruments sold as genuine Stradivari, may in fact have been the work of Vuillaume. Vuillaume also engaged workmen to make bows and had pupils of his own as well. Out of his shop have come some of the most prominent French bow makers of the nineteenth century, including Eulry, Lenoble, Persois, Peccatte, and Voirin.