Vincenzo Rugeri

Vincenzo Rugeri (30 September 1663 – 4 May 1719)[1] (also known as Ruger, Rugier, Rugieri, Ruggeri, Ruggieri, Ruggerius),[2] was an Italian luthier of string instruments such as violins, cellos, and, violas in Cremona, Italy.

[11] Vincenzo Rugeri was born just outside of the city limits of Cremona, Italy in the Parish of San Bernardo on 30 September 1663.

[7] All the brothers were capable workmen, ably assisting in the workshop, however it was only Vincenzo who later enjoyed individual success as a luthier and further developed the Rugeri style.

His confirmed works are based on the Nicolo Amati Grand Pattern model combined with a more tonally advanced lower arch.

His work is characterized by a high standard of conception and workmanship and the maple wood he employed for the backs was often of fine foreign growth.

This violin, like many of Vincenzo's instruments, is made of foreign maple, with an orange-brown transparent varnish with features flatter arches with fuller edges.

[17] Towards the last years of the 17th century, Rugeri's shop flourished financially as evidenced by Vincenzo buying up property around his workshop.

[1] Rugeri had two sons: Francesco (b Cremona 15 July 1704) and Carlo Giuseppe who were listed as violin makers by trade, however there are no known surviving instruments by either of them.

[21][18] The labels contained in the instruments made by the Rugeri family include the words "detto il Per" following the makers's name.

In order to limit confusion, Francesco’s brother Carlo Rugeri added the nickname “Per” to the family surname as early as the 1660s.

These two luthier families with one letter of difference in their surname, living less than 40 miles apart, needed to have distinction from each other not only by quality and craftsmanship, but by name recognition.

[24] It is around this time that violin makers like Andrea Amati, Antonio Stradivari, and Francesco Rugeri began their individual practices.