OP Ryhmän Taidesäätiö sr (OP Art Foundation’s) instrument collection gained an addition in 2004 with the wonderful cello made by Nicholas Lupot (1758–1824), who was called the “French Stradivari”.
This instrument, which was made around 1795 and is in an excellent condition, is a rare piece as under ten cellos made by Lupot are known to exist, whereas there may be as many as around 250 violins. Although the instrument dates from the maker’s early period, its timbre has an unusual, almost aristocratic finesse.
Nicholas Lupot is included among the early instrument makers who understood the value of Antonio Stradivari. He was the most important French violin maker of his time and a master to later generations. Lupot’s work was inspired right from the start by Stradivari, although he didn’t copy him but developed his own ingenious working methods independently.
To Lupot, Stradivari primarily meant inspiration and high quality. Like his predecessors, Lupot was also able to develop and maintain a high quality throughout his entire career. There has subsequently been good cause to compare him to Stradivari. Many of today’s top musicians, who could have obtained any Italian violin by a master maker, prefer to play a beautifully sounding Lupot.
OP Art Foundation’s Lupot is currently on loan to Maria Morfin Venäläinen. The cello’s previous holder was Artturi Aalto.
