by Andy Fein, luthier at Fein Violins
and Joe Peterson
With all of the news about Olympic super-siblings lately (there's 15 competing in Sochi 2014), we thought it would be interesting to take a look at Nicolas Francois Vuillaume, the younger brother of luthier, bow maker and dealer extraordinaire Jean Baptiste Vuillaume.
While searching for an instrument of the highest quality for the lowest amount of money, we rarely think to check out the siblings of the great makers. For instance, we all know about the maker who worked with Paganini and Sarasate, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, "the French Stradivarius," but how many of us have heard about his brother Nicholas Francois?
He was the third son (J.B. was the first) of violin maker Claude Francois Vuillaume, born in Mirecourt, France in 1802. He apprenticed with Per, and soon moved on to work with his big brother, Jean Baptiste, in Paris. He worked in Paris with his brother until 1828, when he decided to set up his own shop in Brussels; maybe so he wouldn't have to put his brother's name on his own work any more.
and Joe Peterson
Nicolas Francois Vuillaume
While searching for an instrument of the highest quality for the lowest amount of money, we rarely think to check out the siblings of the great makers. For instance, we all know about the maker who worked with Paganini and Sarasate, Jean Baptiste Vuillaume, "the French Stradivarius," but how many of us have heard about his brother Nicholas Francois?
Nicolas Francois Vuillaume made in 1849 front
Nicolas Francois Vuillaume made in 1849 back
In Brussels he ran a very successful business, winning many medals for workmanship and even being knighted by the Belgian Government. He'd often travel to Italy to buy wood and look for valuable instruments; most think of J.B. as the guy who all of the Stradivarius' passed through, but quite a few went through the hands of Nicolas-Francois first. He produced instruments of superb workmanship, which made the Belgian makers incredibly jealous. He became the luthier to the Royal Conservatoire in Belgium, expanding the influence of his last name over the violin making world. His violins are indeed comparable to his brothers, but are a fraction of the price.
Though Jean Baptiste is much more well known, many of instruments that Nicolas Francois produced are on the same level of his brother's. Actually, a few of the instruments labelled Jean Baptiste were actually made by Nicolas during his time in Paris. But it is safe to say that these two brothers were incredibly gifted violin makers, which begs the question: Were they, and all of the siblings competing in Sochi 2014, a product of nature or nurture?
Though Jean Baptiste is much more well known, many of instruments that Nicolas Francois produced are on the same level of his brother's. Actually, a few of the instruments labelled Jean Baptiste were actually made by Nicolas during his time in Paris. But it is safe to say that these two brothers were incredibly gifted violin makers, which begs the question: Were they, and all of the siblings competing in Sochi 2014, a product of nature or nurture?
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