March 17, 2002

Antonio Stradivari
FOUND by Ellen Sawyer in Los Angeles, California
mel
this looks like it was a shot from a movie set, it would be more interesting if it wasn't
+ October 19, 2006 11:40 PM +
laura edmisten in California
Wow, what an awesome picture.
+ November 28, 2006 04:11 PM +
Alex Charbonneau in Wawa,Ontario
"Holy Hell, a talking banjo."
+ January 15, 2007 06:50 PM +
malarkey in Seattle, WA
Looks like its in a wax museum!
+ January 18, 2007 10:03 PM +
mOlly in Kansas
His appearence and expression make it seem as though he has been gone for a very long time and was just reunited with a long lost passion.
+ January 19, 2007 10:52 PM +
Marie in C-ville, VA
Unbelievable photo. The man looks positively ancient. I agree w/Molly!

Btw, I don't think it is from a set, b/c the lighting is very harsh and only from one angle. It could still be staged, as it seems so perfect... but his emotions seem so genuine.

There are some strange details about that dude. His wacky, elf-like ears, his poofy shirt with a confusing, equally puffy interior seen inside one sleeve, the one little ringlet of hair, the fact that he seems oblivious to the photographer...

One of the most intriguing found photos!

+ January 26, 2007 07:40 AM +
Sandra in South Australia
'Rosebud'
+ January 26, 2007 11:42 PM +
Danielle in San Antonio TX
I think this is my favorite one so far. I absolutely adore the huge shadow cast behind the man. I think it is a wonderful photograph.
+ February 02, 2007 07:15 PM +
Christa in BC
Wow, this is such a beautiful photo!
+ February 06, 2007 01:56 PM +
Kate in MA
I love this it is so beautiful.
+ February 06, 2007 11:04 PM +
Cheryl in BC
Since Stradivari died in 1737, long before colour photography, it's obviously staged. I think the guess of a wax museum is probably accurate. It is a very emotional photo.
+ February 14, 2007 12:49 PM +
Ninstar
It could easily be from a set, the contrast might have been something the director (or director of photography) wanted...
+ February 19, 2007 11:49 AM +
MJ in Tallahassee, FL
I'm thinking that the 'Stradivari' title may have just been a joke, Cheryl... since, well, he's old and happens to be holding a violin...
I'm almost positive it's at least a living person, since one or two of his fingers on the right side of the photo are slightly blurred like he was moving. But it could be staged.
The point is, I just don't think he's wax.
Awesome photo though, the composition is amazing.
+ February 21, 2007 09:27 AM +
raven in at school
this picture looks a lot like the movie my sunday school class shows called "Touch of the Master's Hand"


+ February 21, 2007 01:42 PM +
Emily in New York
"Ahhhhh It has TWO holes, mmmmmmmmmmm"
+ February 24, 2007 04:33 PM +
a stranger in cognito
Lovely.
There's history behind this.
If it isn't staged.
+ February 24, 2007 06:49 PM +
Caxton in Greenville,SC
There is actually a spider on the "G" string..
+ February 26, 2007 11:18 AM +
Lane in Vermont
Caxton, the G string isn't visible in the picture...

Besides that nitpick though -- this is a great find!
+ March 15, 2007 10:59 PM +
carolina's in a hurry
definitely wax
+ March 22, 2007 09:23 AM +
jpb in Los Angeles
Holy crap!!

I just stumbled on this and noticed the name... Schmellen!! hahaha... Ellen, I remember this photo and I think also when you found it.. how weird you still have it and I just saw it again!

=]

j
+ March 28, 2007 09:15 PM +
L in still in my barn
I think he just got a look at the price tag...wait a minute, is that Mel Brooks ?
+ April 02, 2007 09:53 PM +
chelseahh in @ the GAME
i love it.
+ April 05, 2007 11:44 AM +
Amanda Rivera in Morgantown, Wv
This will be my ex boy friend when he gets older, oh how he loves his fiddle
+ April 15, 2007 04:01 PM +
Christine in confusion
How long is this guy's fingers? What is that sticking out from under the left side (your left)of the beard?
+ April 24, 2007 11:27 PM +
DanSR in NY
"Corn on the cob! My favorite!" exclaimed the old man as he deliriously drew the instrument closer and closer to his face.
+ June 04, 2007 10:01 PM +
Johnny in Nottingham, UK
I remember first seeing this on the site some years ago. It's so powerful, it made me feel overemotional and tearladen. I still think it's a really good example of why I love Found.

The thing sticking out from under the old chap's beard is the bridge of the violin.
+ June 06, 2007 04:35 PM +
rachel in ri
christine, you're seeing the bridge of the violin sticking out from under his beard.
+ July 12, 2007 11:45 AM +
Johnny Go in Chicago
I didn't know Nosferatu could play the violin.
+ August 27, 2007 05:10 PM +
JonniesGirl
I think it looks tragic.
+ September 18, 2007 11:54 AM +
Tori in South Cackalackie
I'd be shocked if this was a wax figure. It's got too many lifelike qualities to be staged. (the person, not the picture) For one thing, his hair is *just* uncombed enough, and that background and lighting in the picture doesn't match what I would expect from a wax museum either. I imagine both as being richer and warmer. Either way it's a cool picture, but especially as a found object.
+ October 04, 2007 09:01 AM +
Becky in SFASU in Nacogdoches, TX
This is stunning. He looks as though he is about to cry with joy.
+ October 19, 2007 03:59 PM +
Kelly in Colorado
I think this is the old man with the violin from Frankenstein.
+ November 30, 2007 12:16 PM +
Christina in Limbo
This picture makes me sad for some reason...
+ December 17, 2007 09:39 PM +
Alex in Here
It does remind me of Stradivari. Anyone else read The Violin Maker? It's good book.
This also reminds me of Lord of The Rings.
"Hey, Gandalf, why dont you get rid of that old magick staff and get a magick violin instead?"
+ December 23, 2007 01:03 AM +
Voices in side your head
Oh my God... George Carlin plays the violin??
+ January 16, 2008 04:34 AM +
Waxing Poetic in Madame Tussauds
Very evocative. My money is on it being in a wax museum.
+ January 18, 2008 01:05 PM +
gloworm in lateonenightinthelab
J.D. Salinger is multi-talented. Found at last!
+ April 08, 2008 05:07 PM +
only girl in a room full of guys playing poker
this is really beautiful in a strangely sad way
+ May 12, 2009 02:11 PM +

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