Giovanni Battista Grancino
Milan 1637 - 1709
Born in 1637, Giovanni Grancino was one of the finest makers of the Milanese school. It is likely that his father Andrea, and perhaps even his grandfather Francesco, were also violin makers. Giovanni had a brother, Francesco, and much of the early instruments of the Grancino family are assumed to be the work of Giovanni and Francesco, although evidence of Francesco's role is scant. Many of Grancino's labels bear the segno della corona and contain the address of his workshop on the Contrada Larga in Milan, where he remained for most of his life.
By around 1700 Grancino instruments begin to develop some Amati features, probably for commercial reasons. His output includes many cellos as well as violins, all of which are of superior quality. He was assisted by his son, Giovanni Battista, whose hand is evident in many of his instruments and was probably responsible for work bearing Giovanni's label produced after 1709.
Grancino taught both Carlo Antonio Testore and Bartolomeo Pasta.
