Full Description
Pierre Hel, son of world-renowned violin maker Pierre Joseph Hel, inherited his father’s studio in Lille after his passing in 1902. His approach to violin-making began to take shape at the conservatory in Lille and then at the Conservatoire Royal de La Haye (Den Haag). It is reported that Pierre apprenticed under Gustave Bazin (1871-1920) in Mirecourt and even before assuming ownership of his father’s enterprise, he started to gain recognition as an emerging star in the violin-making arena. In 1900, he won his first prize in Paris, and proceeded to win awards in 1904 in St. Louis, Missouri and in 1906 in Milan.
In the early years at his workshop, Pierre continued to adhere to the style of the classic Italian role models, making outstanding replicas of Amati, Stradivari and Guarneri instruments. He also perpetuated his father’s practice of using striking, deep-red varnish.
