A Viola by Nicolas Francois Vuillaume

History of the Instrument

Nicolas François Vuillaume (1802-1876), the younger brother of luthier Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume, began his training under their father, Claude-François Vuillaume, in the family workshop in Mirecourt. In 1824, he moved to Paris to work with his brother, and four years later, he opened his own atelier in Brussels. There, Vuillaume achieved considerable success as both a maker and dealer. In 1836, he became the official luthier of the Brussels Conservatory and was awarded a knighthood. His workshop had a lasting impact on Belgian violin-making, employing notable makers such as Hilare Darche and Jean-Baptiste Collin-Mezin.

Vuillaume was known for his exceptional craftsmanship and is particularly remembered for his detailed copies of the Cremonese masters, especially Stradivari. Despite his work being somewhat overshadowed by his brother's, there appeared to be little envy between them. They maintained a strong personal and professional relationship, with Vuillaume frequently producing instruments for the Parisian workshop. His instruments garnered several prestigious medals in London (1831), Brussels (1835; 1841), Paris (1855), Dublin (1867), and Vienna (1873).

This particular viola was utilized by famed soloist and pedagogue Tabea Zimmermann for her first-place finish in the 1982 Geneva Competition; a victory that helped to launch her career.