Andrea Amati

Andrea Amati (c. 1520–c. 1578) was an Italian violin maker from Cremona and the founder of the Amati school of violin making. His work established the essential style for violins made by his family and later influenced the modern violin, particularly with modifications by Antonio Stradivari.1

Amati created violins in two sizes, with the larger one eventually known as the "grand Amati." He also introduced a distinctive amber-colored varnish. Andrea's sons, Antonio and Girolamo, worked together, and his grandson, Nicolò Amati, became the most famous of the family. Nicolò was the master craftsman who taught Stradivari and Andrea Guarneri. The Amati family's significant contribution was the development of the flat, shallow violin model, which, when refined by Stradivari, proved ideal for modern concert performance due to its brilliant tone.1