No. 1 Treble Viol by Giovanni Maria of Brescia Print

Print of a detailed working drawing of a Treble viol by Giovanni Maria
of Brescia, from The Hill Collection of Musical Instruments No.1. This stout little instrument is a rare survival of a once common type of sixteenth-century viol. A label is red ink is attached to the back and reads: "Juan Maria de Bressa : fece in Venecia."

At one time, the maker was identified as the father of Giovanni Giacobo dalla Corna of Brescia, who lived from about 1485 to about 1550. Had this been true, the viol would have been astonishingly early. It is now known that this Giovanni Maria da Brescia worked in Venice in the later sixteenth century and could not have been Giovanni Giacobo’s father.

Part of a range of reproduction drawings from the Hill Collection of Musical Instruments, where they are used by luthiers to replicate and repair stringed instruments.

You don't have to be a musician to appreciate these wonderful drawings which also make great wall art pieces.

The Hill Drawings are a made to order product and take about a week to produce and post. They arrive to us pre-rolled and securely packaged in a strong cardboard tube.

Exclusive to the Ashmolean Museum.