Painted string instruments

• • Leonardo enjoys expressing himself in his work
• • His illustrated instruments have garnered worldwide acclaim
• • He is best-known for the Seven Deadly Sins and the Four Seasons series

London-based Italian luthier and violinist Leonardo Frigo studied Art Restoration at UIA (Università Internazionale dell’Arte) in Venice, where he specialised in restoration of stone and wood. Having acquired new techniques collaborating with various artists and artisans, about 10 years ago he started painting musical instruments: “The first was a violin that I used for practice, I used it as a 'guinea pig' to experiment with different Indian inks and varnishes.” Using striking symbols, vivid patterns, and strategically placed embedded text, he invites his audience to engage with instruments in an innovative way, giving them a new perspective. Leonardo is currently working on a project that pays homage to Dante Alighieri’s Inferno, featuring a representation of each Canto on 33 violins and a cello.