Guitar Hijos de Gonzalez S.XIX

According to José Luis Romanillos, the guitar-making tradition at Casa González dates back to the guitar maker Francisco González, from Galicia. Francisco González Estévez (1820-1879) settled in Madrid in 1849 as a cabinetmaker, but he would become a guitar maker by the next year. In 1851 he married María Cruz Carretero, who he would have three children with. The first of them, María Bárbara Concepción, was born in 1855. The second, Josefa Matilde, in 1858, and the third one, María del Rosario Agustina Catalina, in 1860.

Francisco González died in 1879, and his first daughter, Concepción, became a guitar maker. The business would be moved to 33 Carretas Street, where it would continue until 1927, although during this period it would be called “HIJOS DE GONZÁLEZ” (Gonzalez´s sons). Shocking as it may sound, (he did not have any sons, but only daughters), it was the traditional way it was done back then. In 1927, Concepción passed away.

However, what would provide this guitar with something special and priceless is the oil on the top, by Juan Martínez Abades. He was a painter born in Gijón, Asturias, in 1862, and he died in Madrid in 1920. Abades became specialized in seascape painting. In 1888 he obtained a sponsorship from Oviedo´s provincial government to continue his studies in Rome, where he would remain until 1890. When he returned he settled in Madrid, and he travelled to the coast from time to time, so as to paint there. In the same year he returned, he presented the National Fine Arts Exposition his painting “El Viático a bordo”, which is currently part of El Prado´s collection. He also took part in some expositions of The Fine Arts Circle, collaborating as an illustrator in Blanco y Negro, and composed cuplés. In most of his biographies, Abades is ignored as a musician and poet. It looks as if the cuplé, considered a minor genre, was incompatible with his extraordinary career as a painter.

The recipient of this dedicatory, and owner of the guitar was probably Francisco de Adriaensens Alcaraz, born in 1862, just like the painter. His wife´s name was Paulina García-Vidal Rayneri, and his son, Francisco Adriaensens y García-Vidal, Captain of artillery.

Its sound is just magical, completely away from the current stereotypes. From the very first moment we make it sound, we know we are before something else. An inspiring sound which encourages us to dream of it, through the works of composers such as Tárrega, Falla o Llobet.

The condition of this guitar is really good, if we consider the date of its making. It has undergone a general restoration, although its condition is optimal to be used.