The best continuator of the tradition of Cremona and the only one who is still innovating is Guarneri del Gesu, very active until his untimely death in 1744. Guadagnini who opens a workshop in Piacenza circa 1742 may have been previously an apprentice of one of the last great luthiers of Cremona.
Carlo Bergonzi also works in Cremona, probably in the vicinity of Vincenzo Rugeri. In spite of his long career very few instruments are attributed to him, which suggests that he was a subcontractor to other masters. He was 54 years old when Stradivari died. He knew how to make violins of a rich sound intermediate between stradivarius and del Gesu with a thick high-quality varnish.
On May 11 in New York, Tarisio sells as lot 229 an exceptional later violin by Carlo Bergonzi on which the experts recognize the participation of his son Michel'Angelo. Its date is estimated around 1740-1745 and a label bears the plausible date of 1742. Here is the link to the website of the auction house.
unsold
May 2017 is live! The highlight of this sale is a #Bergonzi violin known as the ‘ex-Appleby' Bidding opens April 25 https://t.co/nrTj9DA6X1 pic.twitter.com/54Eycxq6wX
— Tarisio (@TarisioAuctions) April 19, 2017