Alessandro Michelazzi Studio

Sorgentone Mecatti

Luthiers in Florence

The art of making musical instruments by hand, photographed inside a Florence luthier workshop for NoChaser Magazine. A quiet study of craft, wood and patience.

Alessandro Michelazzi was commissioned to photograph the workshop of Sorgentone Mecatti, luthier in Florence. It was quite an experience watching the maestro carve a new violin from raw wood, and equally fascinating to see him restore the covers of old violins, bringing each one back to life. For the session, a studio light setup with flash was built to balance the output and keep a natural feel inside the workshop.

Luthier Sorgentone Mecatti at work in his Florence violin workshop
Close-up of hands carving a violin from raw wood, Florence workshop
Wide shot of the Sorgentone Mecatti luthier workshop interior, Florence
Violin-making tools laid out on a Florence luthier workbench
Master luthier shaping a violin body in his Florence atelier
Restoring an antique violin cover in a Florence workshop
Detail of aged violin varnish being restored, Florence luthier studio
Sorgentone Mecatti portrait among violins in Florence workshop
Carving tools and wood shavings on a luthier bench, Florence
Luthier hands fitting a violin scroll in Florence atelier
Finished violins hanging in the Sorgentone Mecatti workshop, Florence
Studio-lit portrait of the luthier at his Florence workbench
Close-up of violin f-holes being carved, Florence luthier studio
Sorgentone Mecatti examining a raw wood violin blank, Florence
Natural light falling across the Florence violin workshop
Luthier applying varnish to a restored violin, Florence atelier
Detail of an antique violin scroll under restoration, Florence
Sorgentone Mecatti portrait beside his workbench, Florence
Final portrait of the luthier in his Florence violin workshop

Printed in the Magazine

These images were printed in issue N.7 of NoChaser Magazine. Check the NoChaser website to see if printed copies are still available.

Sorgentone Mecatti editorial portrait for NoChaser Magazine, Florence
Luthier at work, editorial feature for NoChaser Magazine
Violin workshop detail, NoChaser Magazine editorial feature
Studio-lit portrait of Sorgentone Mecatti for NoChaser Magazine
Close-up of luthier hands carving wood, magazine editorial
Finished violins on display, NoChaser Magazine feature shot
Sorgentone Mecatti at his Florence workbench, magazine editorial
Closing editorial frame of the luthier for NoChaser Magazine