2245) Crafts - Luthierie, France: La Poste, France (French Post) has brought out a Postage Stamp of 1.65 Euro on the National School of Lutherie, Mirecourt: Date/Year of Stamp set issue: 14.02.2022:
A Luthier is one who makes stringed musical instruments (such as violins or guitars).
Mirecourt: The home of French violin making:
Mirecourt is a small town located close to Neufchateau, in the French region of Vosges in Grand Est in north-eastern France.
Mirecourt is known for lace-making and the manufacture of musical instruments, particularly those of the Violin family. The locals are called "Mirecurtiens".
In 1620, the first known instrument makers were living in Mirecourt.
After the first world-war there were four main factories, 20 workshops and as many as 175 violin makers working there.
So not surprisingly, the main logo on Mirecourt’s official website is a violin!
Mirecourt's tradition of String instruments:
Mirecourt's tradition of luthierie seems to date back to the end of the sixteenth century and the travels of the Dukes of Lorraine and their retinues to Italy.
The first violin makers date back to as early as 1602 with Mr. Clabec, Jean de Fourcelle and Barbelin, followed by Nicolas Gérard and Demange Aubertin in 1619 and 1623.
During the Thirty Years' War (1631–1661), violins were no longer mentioned in city records, but by 1673 four families of violin makers were in Mirecourt.
It was particularly in Mirecourt that the business of making stringed instruments took off, with 43 luthiers in 1635, and the business continued to grow into the twentieth century, by when it was claimed that Mirecourt was producing more than 80,000 instruments annually. This is frequently a family business which can grow into a dynastic one.
The most famous of all, Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume (1798-1875), a brilliant and prolific luthier, who brought up-to-date the great instruments of the Stradivari, Guarneri, and other luthiers of the golden period of Cremona lutherie, in Italy.
Jean-Jacques Pages has also produced outstanding instruments by copying famous eighteenth century models of the likes of Stradivarius and Amati. The Gérome brothers, now retired from making guitars and mandolins, have had their work endorsed by Georges Brassens who has purchased one of their guitars.
Luthier Didier Nicolas (1757–1833) was the first violin maker to manufacture violins repeatedly in Mirecourt.
Born and raised in Mirecourt, he did his apprenticeship here and founded his shop "A la Ville de Cremonne".
He also founded a workshop, called D. Nicolas Aine, which became one of the most successful in Mirecourt.
By 1925 the craft was organised into 18 workshops and 4 factories employing 680 workers. The economic and political hardships of the mid-twentieth century coincided with the disappearance of the workshops.
Mirecourt has the great tradition of bow making, craftsmen with famous names (Tourte, Peccatte, Sartory…) and as many bows which delight soloists and music lovers all over the world.
In the 1970s, the opening of the National School of Lutherie ("École nationale de lutherie") National Shool of Violin Making at Mirecourt, signalled a renaissance which has endured into the present century and The industry is celebrated by the presence in Mirecourt of the "Musée de la lutherie et de l'archèterie française".
"Ecole Nationale De Lutherie": The National Violin Making School of Mirecourt - present day:
Mirecourt is also home to the National School of Lutherie, unique in France, internationally renowned, which trains young apprentices in this profession.
There are few students every year at the National Violin Making School and the entry tests are tough.
To apply students must have passed their A levels and have a good musical background.
Every year, around ten students are chosen from a few hundred applicants, to have the opportunity of accessing the three year violin making course.
During the three years, students acquire fundamental instrument making and restoring techniques. The school focuses mainly on studying violins, violas, cellos, double bass and viols.
Students who go on to pass their DMA exams will potentially have access to some of the most renowned violin businesses is the world.
The National School's luthiers carve, shape and bend the wood to create the violins, violas and cellos. They are also a restorer of old instruments, who with meticulousness, patience and high standards bring musical instruments back to life.
Violin making remains a lively craft in France which works for musicians of all levels, from young beginners to soloists.
The Stamp:
The postage stamp of 1.65 Euro is titled -"LUTHIER" at left. On the bottom is the stamp series - "METIERS D'ART". at right is the name of the issuing entity - "La Poste 2022".
At left is seen the image of a violin and at right is seen a Luthier at work.
A Philatelic Souvenir
The Philatelic Document gives a brief about the art of Violin making, in French.
Technical details:
Issue Date: 14.02.2022
Designer: Florence Gendre
Illustrator: Florence Gendre
Process: Taille Douce
Values: 1.65 €
Links to other posts on Metropolis Tiffany Art Coin Series:
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