Guitar
This instrument was made by Benito Sanchez in Madrid in 1797. Towards the end of the 18th century most Spanish guitars had longer necks relative to the scale-length, in this case the guitar has a shorter body, accentuating the curves of the sides as a consequence. These accentuated curves would become an increasingly popular feature in early 19th-century guitar making in Madrid. Although the head and bridge are replacements, there is no reason to suppose that this was ever anything other than a six-course guitar. (Daniel Wheeldon, 2016)
Technical description: Twelve string (six double course) guitar; two-piece pine top with rosewood binding and purfling of pine/rosewood/p/r, sound hole diameter of 83.55 mm with a binding of rosewood/pine/r/p/R/p/R/p/r/p/r r/p/r, rosewood mustachio tie bridge (probably not original); three-piece cypress back with rosewood spacers and binding; two-piece cypress ribs with rosewood spacer; mahogany (Spanish cedar) neck (likely not original); rosewood fingerboard, fourteen frets including ten gut frets tied to the neck and four inlaid rosewood frets (one missing); two-piece headstock (not original), twelve friction pegs. (Daniel Wheeldon, 2016)
Technical description: Twelve string (six double course) guitar; two-piece pine top with rosewood binding and purfling of pine/rosewood/p/r, sound hole diameter of 83.55 mm with a binding of rosewood/pine/r/p/R/p/R/p/r/p/r r/p/r, rosewood mustachio tie bridge (probably not original); three-piece cypress back with rosewood spacers and binding; two-piece cypress ribs with rosewood spacer; mahogany (Spanish cedar) neck (likely not original); rosewood fingerboard, fourteen frets including ten gut frets tied to the neck and four inlaid rosewood frets (one missing); two-piece headstock (not original), twelve friction pegs. (Daniel Wheeldon, 2016)
Artwork Details
- Title: Guitar
- Maker: Benito Sanchez de Aguilera (Spanish, Madrid, active 1790–1800)
- Date: 1797
- Geography: Madrid, Spain
- Culture: Spanish
- Medium: Spruce or fir top, cypress back and ribs, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard and frets, ebony nut, gut strings
- Dimensions: Total length: 914 mm
- Classification: Chordophone-Lute-plucked-fretted
- Credit Line: Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, 1990
- Object Number: 1990.221
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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