It is autumn in Plymouth with many foliage and seaside scenes.
Beaches are quiet.
Birds are unmolested.
Boats are ready to be stored.
And the arts competition is over.
Guiseppe Guarnerius del Gesu designed some of the world's best violins, best acoustically and best visually. We are not sure as to how he designed these. Maybe he went by a graphical methodology such as the "Otto" diagram, seen in Herron-Allen's 1885 text.
Maybe he really did experiment to achieve his beautiful violins! He succeeded! Many violin makers prefer to reproduce these spectacular instruments. Here at Violins of Plymouth I have a recent experience that illustrates why this might be.
The Plymouth Center for the Arts/Plymouth Guild hosts an annual Juried Show" for artists in the Plymouth area of southeast Massachusetts. Many works in oil, watercolors, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, and fine crafts enter their recent accomplishments Out of over 500 entries, judges select the best 250 works. Of these, a few are cited for superior artistry and workmanship. All pieces are displayed for one month in the gallery on North Street. Visitors can enjoy the works, they can purchase the works, and they can vote for their favorite. This event has just finished. As shown in a previous post, the "G. Guarnerius violin, 1733, was awarded the Second prize in the "fine crafts" category.
The public, both local people and visitors, visited for this past month. What were they looking for? What did they expect to see? They are not academics in the teaching of arts, each has their individual idea of beauty, skill, imagination, and so forth. They might agree with the judges or they might not. A second visit during the month might elicit a different choice and preference. Some might be water color aficionados; some might be photographers. Some might have had their entries rejected. Some view at night while many experience the daylight appearance.
Somehow, to these many visitors, the brilliance and artistry of Guiseppe Guarnerius reached out to the greater number. The reproduction of the 1733 instrument, from his best period, moved many viewers to approve and vote. This was, for them, the choice for this 43d Annual Show. And so, Guiseppe Guarnerius del Gesu was my best friend this year! We will celebrate Thanksgiving in Plymouth together!
