José Contreras I

José Contreras, known as “El Granadino” from his birthplace of Granada, is generally regarded as the most important Spanish violin maker of the eighteenth century. He moved to Madrid around 1740, where he worked as a maker and repairer and came into close contact with the fine Italian instruments used at the Spanish court.

Contreras was particularly influenced by Antonio Stradivari, ...Read More whose instruments provided an important point of reference for his work. His instruments should not, however, be regarded simply as copies. Contreras developed a strongly individual style, generally characterized by broad outlines, relatively low arching and vigorous, sometimes spontaneous workmanship. His varnish is often particularly attractive, ranging through rich golden and light brown tones.

His position in Madrid gave him access to instruments of a quality rarely available to other Spanish makers of the period, and his work reflects an unusually sophisticated understanding of the Cremonese tradition. He was also highly regarded as a restorer, working on important Italian instruments belonging to the Spanish royal collections. His reputation for powerful and projecting instruments was established during his lifetime and has remained closely associated with his work.

Violins constitute the majority of Contreras's surviving production, although a small number of cellos and other instruments are also known. His labels typically identify both Madrid and his Granadan origins, for example: “Matriti per Granadensem Josephum Contreras.” His son José Melitón Contreras continued the workshop tradition in Madrid, although his instruments are considerably rarer.

Contreras occupies an exceptional position in Spanish violin making. At a time when Spain had no violin-making tradition comparable in scale with those of Cremona, Venice, Paris or Mirecourt, he produced instruments of genuinely individual character and international quality, successfully adapting the principles of the great Italian makers to a distinctly Spanish workshop tradition. Read Less

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