ANATOLY LEMAN

IN FOCUS A close look at the work of great and unusual makers

Alongside Nikolai Kittel, Anatoly Ivanovich Leman is the most important figure in Russian violin making history. Leman was born in 1859 in Moscow, to a family of hereditary noblemen. He had an excellent education that allowed him to pursue several interests: he was at various times a military engineer, a writer, a practising dentist and finally a luthier.

In 1885 Leman moved to St Petersburg. He became increasingly interested in stringed instruments and at some point decided to become a full-time violin maker. He was entirely self-taught and over the next few years learnt the principles of varnish and acoustics. He used his own models throughout his life, never copying the works of the old masters, and gave individual names to all the instruments he made.

The most significant and interesting period of Leman’s activity began after 1903, as his craftsmanship matured. His work from this period can be compared with the best Italian violin makers of his time. He died in St Petersburg in 1913, leaving behind around 200 instruments including violins, violas and cellos, as well as a few bows.

FORM AND CONSTRUCTION

Made in 1911 and nicknamed ‘Gemma’, the violin shown here is an excellent example of an instrument from Leman’s later period. It was made on an internal mould and has a very individual shape. The pattern and construction of Leman’s instruments were always dependent on acoustics, as well as the maker’s own aesthetic preferences.

MATERIALS

The top is made of a single piece of spruce which, as Leman stated in one of his books, came from an Italian tree. The back is made up of two pieces of maple with a beautiful pattern. The same piece of maple was used for the violin ribs and scroll. All the blocks and linings are made from willow.

F-HOLES

The f-holes of Leman’s instruments are all heavily influenced by those of the old Cremonese masters, showing extreme precision in the carving as well as a balanced shape. The f-holes of this violin measure 74mm.

PURFLING

The purfling is 1.2mm wide and consists of three strips of equal thickness. The ‘black’ is made from ebony, while the ‘white’ is maple.

SCROLL

The scroll shows the maker’s high level of artistry, with precise balance between the left and right sides. The pegbox is relatively long, giving the violin an overall feeling of harmony.

VARNISH

Leman experimented with a variety of varnishes over the course of his career, hence the differences in varnish to be found in his instruments. This violin is coated with a very beautiful and clear yellow–orange oil-based varnish.

LABEL

The printed part of the label, in Russian, reads: ‘Anatoly Leman of St Petersburg, made in 1911’. In Leman’s handwriting the name ‘Gemma’ appears on the left and his signature on the right. Beneath is the text ‘Made for I.N. Skarzhinsky’.

ALL PHOTOS PABLO LEÓN

Middle bouts taken with callipers; all other measurements taken with a tape measure

Anatoly Leman with a finished cello