Santo Serafin
Venice 1699 - c.1758
Santo Serafin is thought to have moved to Venice from his hometown of Udine around 1720, although his earliest labels date from 1725. It seems he set up his own workshop in 1733, so it is likely that he worked for other Venetian makers in the interim and developed his individual approach. Serafin's best work dates from his early years as an independent maker, and is characterized by a clear Amati inspiration with some definitively Venetian elements. His work is among the most attractive and refined of the Venetian school, and the tone quality and materials are generally superb. Cellos are especially sought-after, though they are perhaps not equal to those of his contemporaries Domenico Montagnana and Matteo Gofriller. Starting around 1740 the style becomes more exaggerated and his instruments are less successful. Serafin retired from violin making in 1744, though he lived for at least another 14 years. His nephew Giorgio also took up violin making, and inherited the Montagnana workshop in 1750.
