Career
Trained in Cesare Candi"s workshop, Paolo DeBarbieri is now considered one of the best violin makers of the school of Genova. His style changes greatly during the years, but it is always easy recognisable for his unmistakable making technique, based on the "continuous" linings (the linings are not mitred or set in the central blocks, but pass over - two pieces only per plate instead of six). His workmanship is fine and inspired, and reveal very good taste and good technique.
At the age of 13, he left a note on his kitchen table stating "be back in a minute"...leaving for six years to work as a sailorboy.
During this time, he also made guitars for the soldiers. The real beginning of his own career was in 1918-1919 (after the Great War), in a workshop located at Piazza Paolo da Novi 5/14.
At the 1949 Cremona competition / Stradivari exhibit, he exhibited two violins, one viola and a quartet. Candi left a permanent imprint on both professional and amateur 20th-century Genoese violin making.
Paolo de Barbieri entered Candi’s workshop when he was about 30, having previously been a sailor and soldier.
He learnt external mould construction from Candi, as well as the use of continuous linings, which he employed throughout his life. He made more than 360 violins, as well as violas, cellos and guitars. In his early period he used his master’s Strad model, followed later by a personal Strad model with narrow f-holes and round archings.
But his main model was the ‘Cannon’ Guarneri ‘del Gesù’, which since Praga had been a steady reference for all Genoese makers.
De Barbieri’s place in Candi’s workshop was taken in 1924 by a talented young woodworker called Giuseppe Bernardo Lecchi (1895–1967), originally from a southern Piedmontese village. "Lecchi proved the ideal partner for Candi and made a considerable contribution to his last series of decorated instruments, taking charge of the delicate inlays."
lieutenant is necessary to point out the importance of the world-renowned "del Gesù" of Paganini "Il Cannone" for every violin maker of Genoa.
De Barbieri"s interpretation/copy stands out amongst them. Paolo de Barbieri"s son Renato de Barbieri (1929–1991) was a well-known concert violinist/soloist.
Louisiana Liuteria Italiana / Italian Violin Making in the 1800s and 1900s - Umberto Azzolina
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Dictionary of 20th Century Italian Violin Makers - Marlin Brinser 1978
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Universal Dictionary of Violin & Bow Makers.
Brighton; England: Amati.