A Franco-Flemish double-manual harpsichord,
The SIGNATURE OF NICOLAS HOFFMANN ON THE REAR SURFACE OF THE LOWER BELLY RAIL.
The above photograph shows the Hoffmann signature written upside-down on the near surface of the lower belly rail. It reads:
"Re fait par N hoffmann à [B]aris 1786"
This photograph was taken with a long exposure, illuminating the rear surface of the lower belly rail with tungsten-filament lamps rich in IR-wavelength light. An IR filter was used on the lens of the camera, and this filter eliminated all light with wavelength longer than about 400 nm (4,000 Å). The photograph therefore represents the light reflected off the lower belly rail only in the IR part of the spectrum. Because the graphite or silver-point used to write the signature does not reflect light in the IR part of the spectrum, the signature then appears clearly in the photograph.
This signature therefore ties the second ravalement of the harpsichord to the workshop of Nicolas Hoffmann, working in Paris at the end of the eighteenth century. Unfortunately it is not clear which work was carried out by Nicolas Hoffmann, and which was carried out by Jacques Barberini whose name was on a calling card attached to the post-ravalement baseboard. Most unfortunately the post ravalement baseboard was replaced by Roberto de Regina (still alive in 2021) with a baseboard of tropical plywood in his 'restoration' of 1971. This has therefore destroyed evidence of the intervention of Barberini. De Regina also destroyed many of the other features of the instrument which he believed were 'out of period' for an instrument made by a maker belonging to the Ruckers family.
I would like to express my thanks to Riccardo Angeloni for his help and co-operation in securing this difficult photograph.
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