Antonio Stradivari, believed to have been born in 1644 in the small Italian city of Cremona, had possibly served from 1658 to 1664 as a pupil in workshops of the luthier Nicolò Amati.

At least one Antonio Stradivari label, dated 1666, reads, “Alumnus Nicolais Amati” -- student of Nicolò Amati -- but it has always been controversial as to whether he was an actual apprentice of Nicolò Amati, or merely considered himself a student and admirer of his work in a broader sense.

A crafter of stringed instruments such as violins, cellos, guitars and harps.

Stradivari is generally considered the most significant artisan in this field.

The Latinized form of his surname, Stradivarius, as well as the colloquial, "Strad", is often used to refer to his instruments.

In 1669, Stradivari crafts his first violin.