Giovanni Battista Ceruti

Giovanni Battista Ceruti (1756—1817) was a prolific Italian luthier and violin-maker, one of the crucial Lorenzo Storioni's followers who at the dawn of the XIX century re-established Cremona's reputation as luthiery's "birthplace." Born in Sesto, a small commune just north of Cremona, Ceruti worked as a weaver in his youth. Around 1785, he relocated to Cremona. Giambattista probably developed his interest in luthiery through brothers Nicolò (1754–1832) and Carlo Antonio Lorenzo Bergonzi II (1757–1836). Grandsons of the legendary Carlo Bergonzi practiced different professions, but at least between 1787 and '94, they certainly worked as instrument-makers and lived nearby Storioni's residence. In 1802, as Lorenzo Storioni retired (and possibly left Cremona), an aspiring luthier G.B. Ceruti became the city's sole violin-maker. Italy's economic and political climate was harsh at the time, heavily affecting the quality of available materials; overall, efficient and almost "industrialized" German and Austrian instrument-makers dominated the European market. Ceruti didn't have any private patrons, either. (Unlike certain luthiers in other cities, such as Giovanni Battista Guadagnini in Turin or Giacomo Rivolta (1770–1844) in Milan, employed by count Cozio di Salabue, who supplied the masters with premium wood and gave them access to his renowned collection of Strads and 'del Gesus.') Despite this, Giambattista reportedly made over 500 violins, cellos, violas, and basses in his career. Ceruti passed away at sixty-one, most likely from typhus. Today, less than a hundred of G.B. Ceruti's instruments survived. They aren't as valuable as works of the most renowned XVII-XVIII century Cremonese luthiers but still command outstanding prices at current auctions—violins, specifically, traded in the $118,500-259,000 range; the most expensive Ceruti's cello went for $92,300 in Mar 2008. The luthier's label typically read Jo: Baptista Ceruti Cremonensis, fecit Cremona 18## (with a brand both on the label and occasionally impressed on the outer ribs: 'GBC' in a circle, surmounted by a cross).