ALL PHOTOS AND IMAGES GUILLAUME SCHÖNAU
The science behind art is fascinating because it allows direct access to the basis of a design. To help us in our understanding, we can use different techniques for observation and analysis, from measuring and drawing, to copying and moulding, to scanning and reverse engineering - measuring an object and then reconstructing it as a 3D model. What technique we use depends on our goals, the type of information we need, and the time we have available.
Violin makers today have access to many analytical tools and technologies that were not available to makers of the past. These methods allow us to study and analyse classical instrument making by accessing and storing a large amount of detailed information. The way this information is collected offers clear advantages over the methods previously used: it is non-invasive and allows for extremely accurate and relatively quick determinations, sometimes without even having to remove a single string from an instrument.