Poles Want to "Copy" Stradivarius Violins. A Unique Project by Scientists from Kielce

The only Stradivarius violin in Poland will soon have its own digital model. This will facilitate understanding of this complex instrument, but also its repair if necessary. The project includes complex tests, such as advanced computed tomography.

Every instrument created by Antonio Stradivari is considered a unique masterpiece. They attract not only musicians but also collectors: Stradivarius violins dominate lists of the most expensive and valuable instruments in the world. Not everyone knows that one of the Italian violin maker's instruments is located in Poland .

The "Stradivarius Polonia" is a violin that was created in 1685. It was purchased by Roman Ziemian and Stephan Morgenstern in 2018 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Poland regaining its independence. The instrument is played by Janusz Wawrowski .

Janusz Wawrowski and Stradivarius

The only Stradivarius violin in Poland , the "Polonia" from 1685, will be examined by scientists from the Kielce University of Technology as part of the Technopark Kielce Digital Innovation Hub project, of which the university is a partner.

Thanks to this, researchers at the Radiography and Computed Tomography Laboratory at the CENWIS Research and Implementation Center will be able to create a "digital template" of a violin using advanced computed tomography. What exactly is this all about?

"During our examination of the violin, we will take X-rays that will allow us to look inside the instrument and precisely map its structure. This creates a digital template that will help us understand the unique dimensions and shapes of the violin and preserve its history for future generations," explains Dr. Wojciech Depczyński , head of the CENWIS radiography and computed tomography laboratory at the Kielce University of Technology .

Stradivarius violins will be examined by scientists from the Kielce University of Technology. Photo: Press materials / Kielce University of Technology

It's also about knowing how to repair the violin or build a new, identical one in the event of an unexpected event. It's worth doing so, especially since the "Polonia" is one of the last Stradivari instruments in the world without a digital equivalent.

The ringleader of the whole action is Mateusz Majkowski , a student of the Academy of Music in Poznań , who, as part of his bachelor's thesis, intends to make a new violin modeled on a Stradivarius instrument.

"I was looking for a way to measure this instrument without damaging it due to its historical value. I chose computed tomography, which is available at the Kielce University of Technology, " he explains in a press release.

Will it be possible to create a replica of a Stradivarius violin? We're keeping our fingers crossed for the success of the entire project.