P  RS - THE MYSTERY MAN

 "The bowmaking of Jean Pierre Marie Persoit alongside that of Francois Xavier Tourte represents the pinnacle of an unsurpassed epoch in this domain. Each bow of these two great makers is a quite individual creation."

These few lines, with which Paul Childs opened the comment on the works of this great craftsman in his book "Jean Pierre Marie Persoit - His Life and Work", would be sufficient to understand the value of this author. But despite these appraisal words, studying the various texts dedicated to him, you will discover a strange reluctance by experts, to give precise opinion about some peculiarities of his work, first of all his relationship with Francois Xavier Tourte, but first things first.

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit's life is constantly shrouded in mystery. Think that his birth date is unknown, and the only document that has allowed us to date it, is a death certificate of one of his aunts on September 28, 1818, of which he is a witness and declares the age of thirty-four. That is why he is believed to be born between September 29, 1783 and September 28, 1784.

The son of a florist, Pierre Persoit and Jeanne Francoise Simon, J.M.P, like his well-known colleague Tourte, before starting to build bows, made a a different job: he was goldsmith-engraver, learning the techniques of precious metals working that, in my opinion, will allow him to approach to bowmaking.

In 1812, when he will marry Jeanne Faverot, the marriage certificate shows his job as "Compagnon de Luthier".  That is to say something like apprentice, yes, but in which workshop ?

Here is where my doubts come from . Speaking of whom were the teachers of this great, both reference texts, L'Archet by Millant and Raffin and the aforementioned book by Childs, indicate Lupot and Eury as the main inspirers of this craftsman, and so far so good.. Nevertheless I think about the comments made ​about his relationship with Tourte.

The Raffin-Millant says: "The general style of his work makes us think to Lupot, although it is sure the influence of Francois Xavier Tourte ".

Childs tells even more: "Though very unlikely, it is doubtful that Tourte and Persoit had professional relationships".

There is no need to tell my opinion openly, as I risk to be shot, but I can tell you a story.

In 1809, year of birth of his first daughter , Persoit, that as we recall was a gold engraver, moved close to the shop of a well-known craftsman, F.X. Tourte (Note: both texts report it as a matter of fact). You know, the engraver job is not easy in the post-revolutionary France, and to adjust the budget, the young Persoit starts building the metal parts of the frogs for the the old Master (sixty-one years). A habit not totally set apart even nowadays , if we have to engrave the metal of a frog we often turn to a master goldsmith.Because of this attendance, and a kind of elective affinity (as you remember, even Tourte was working with metals before becoming a bowmaker ), the great Master begins to follow the young Persoit and he lead him toward the bowmaking . Recognizing a talent, he keeps him close teaching him the job and even commissioned some work. It is certain that Persoit, even if moving from his home, doesn't go away from Tourte's area for eleven years, at least until 1823, when he will begin his official collaboration with J.B. Vuillaume.

Obviously it is an invented story and any resemblance to people and places is purely coincidental.

But in any event, let's go on. In 1823, accordingly to Millant, in 1826 byRaffin, or in 1828 bby Vatelot Persoit was contacted by J.B. Vuillaume, to whom he joins for some years, until 1838 (Note: Persoit is the only bowmaker that "joines" to Vuillaume, the others worked for him). With him, he will further develop the work already undertaken by Tourte, and above all will give France one of the most widely known craft schools.

In addition to building wonderful bows, in Vuillaume's workshop, he also trains young promises of bowmaking. You have to think that among his students there were other famous names such as Dominique Peccatte or Claude Joseph Fonclause , less known and talented than the former , but in any case one of the greatest bowmaker of all time.

It worked more or less like this. Vuillaume, had some persons infiltrated into the workshops of Mirecourt, and whenever they had a talented guy they sent him to Paris, and as soon as the newly arrived came, he was handed to Persoit who taught him the craft.

In 1839, at the age of fifty-six years, he opened his own activity, continuing to build bows that are beautiful and unique both for aesthetic and sound properties until he was over sixty, equaling his more famous colleague , Tourte.

In 1851, he interrupts his work, and after few years it disappear in the same way as he appeared. As for the date of his birth, in fact we do not know even that one of his death, which is known to have occurred after 1854.

Jean Pierre Marie Persoit was like a comet, you do not know where it begins, where it ends, but his light is so strong and bright , that even today, after almost two hundred years, he continues to brighten the road for every bowmaker wishing to be defined as such.

As a craftsman particularly dear to me, I decided to split the article dedicated to him. Next week I will talk about the style and character of this great, now enjoy the magnificent head of this bow of which I will tell you the story; as weird as the whole life of this man.

So long.

Paolo.