Lucien Schmitt
Violin
1892–1984
He obtained a first prize in violin at the École Louis Rey in Geneva and then began an apprenticeship with Léon Mougenot in Mirecourt, where he remained for two years. After a period of training with the bow maker Bazin, he went on to work in Geneva in the Vidoudez workshop, then in Lyon with Lorange. After returning from the First World War (1914–1918), during which he was wounded and gassed, he joined the firm of Caressa & Français in Paris as a workman, and later worked in Nice with Bovis.
In 1922, he established himself in Grenoble, where he initially copied the classical models. Soon, however, he designed an entirely personal model, which he named “Mieulx ne Sçay”, very graceful in outline, and whose tone—both mellow and powerful—allows for the finest nuances, as demonstrated by its success. Fine lutherie with strong future promise, executed with great care.
Established in Meylan since 1941, L. Schmitt was also the author of articles and brochures on violin making, in which his love of the craft often appears, sometimes with lyrical expression. His son Jean-Frédéric, born on 14 February 1937, was preparing to succeed him in due course. The last model, from 1949, features an openwork circular section at the top of the scroll, leaving the wood exposed. Within this small circle, his monogram L.S., surrounded by a large G (Grenoble), is branded into the wood.
(source: Violindocs)
Year : 1930
Number : IF1105
