Measurement and modelling of mass and dimensional variations of historic violins subjected to thermo-hygrometric variations: The case study of the Guarneri “del Gesù” violin (1743) known as the “Cannone”

This paper presents a study regarding the hygro-thermal conditions to which the violin Guarneri “del Gesù”(1743), known as the “Cannone”, is subjected during its conservation and occasional use in concerts with special attention on its mass and dimensional variations. Several environmental measurement campaigns were planned and carried out using relative humidity and temperature probes. The violin mass variation was measured continuously inside the display case where it is conserved, and before and after concerts by means of a special exhibition frame integrating a precision balance. These measurements enabled reproducing the thermal and hygrometric variations to which the violin is normally subjected using a purposely-developed portable climatic chamber, and also enabled measuring the consequent hygroscopic and thermal deformations in selected points by means of a purposely-developed measuring frame. An empirical model for computing the mass variations according to the variation of environmental conditions was implemented and verified and the typical mass variation consequent to the use of the violin during concerts was also determined. The violin’s thermal and hygroscopic deformations were measured in selected points for given temperature and relative humidity steps. The paper includes a discussion about the possible impact of hygro-thermal variations on violin conservation.