OP Ryhmän Taidesäätiö sr (OP Art Foundation’s) Quartet Committee, the forerunner of the current Committee for Stringed Instruments, decided in 1994 to acquire an addition to the Foundation’s collection with a viola made in 1722 in Nuremberg by Leonhard Maussiell.
The Maussiell acquired by OP Art Foundation is a viola with a richly dark tone that is especially well suited to chamber music. OP Art Foundation was fortunate in its acquisition because it is very difficult to find historical violas that are the “right size” and in a good condition and which have a beautiful tone; and their value is increasing all the time. Leonhard Maussiell’s instruments have influences from the founders of the Cremolese violin making dynasties, such as the Stradivari family. Jacob Stainer (1617–1683), whose style had a great impact on violin making in the 18th century, was a German purveyor of the tradition. Leonhard Maussiell’s instruments are typically reddish brown and a dark golden colour. The decorously coated varnish of OP Art Foundation’s viola is a reddish brown colour.
OP Art Foundation’s Maussiel is currently on loan to Gisem Güllu. The violas previous holder was Saara Kurki.
