This specific specimen belonged to the private collection of patron and scientist Philippe Dennery
A rare “Del Gesù” violin, created by master Bartolomeo Giuseppe Guarneri between 1727 and 1730, was sold this Tuesday in Paris for 2.3 million euros, announced the Artcurial auction house.
The instrument reached a final value of 2,314,800 euros, including expenses, confirming the high interest of collectors in examples by the Cremona master. Currently, less than 150 violins made by Guarneri are known, which are disputed for their sound power and expressiveness, characteristics that many experts consider superior to those of the works of his contemporary Antonio Stradivari.
This specific specimen belonged to the private collection of patron and scientist Philippe Dennery. Inside, handwritten labels testify to the deep connection of great musicians to the instrument: violinist Eugène Ysaÿe described it in 1928 as his faithful life companion, a sentiment echoed years later by virtuoso Isaac Stern. Over the centuries, other legendary names such as Paganini and Yehudi Menuhin have also chosen violins from this luthier for their exceptional resonance.
Stéphane Aubert, vice-president of Artcurial, highlighted that the sale of a piece of this caliber is a global event, given the rarity and mystery surrounding the incomparable sound of “Del Gesù”. The instrument now being auctioned stands out for its rich tonal spectrum that allows for extraordinary projection in concert halls, combining deep bass with penetrating highs with almost unlimited expressive versatility.
