Horace Petherick

Horace William Petherick was a British artist, illustrator, writer, and violin connoisseur whose career stretched across several creative worlds. He illustrated more than 100 books and also left behind paintings now held in UK public collections, showing how active he was in the visual arts as well as in publishing.

Later, he became especially known for writing about violins, their history, and their repair. Sources consistently describe him as a knowledgeable figure in that field, and works such as The History of the Violin, Antonio Stradivari, Joseph Guarnerius: His Work and His Master, and The Repairing & Restoration of Violins helped give him a lasting reputation among readers interested in instruments and craftsmanship.

That mix of practical expertise and clear enthusiasm gives his books their enduring charm. Whether he was explaining technique, discussing great makers, or sharing a collector’s eye for detail, he wrote in a way that opens a door into the culture of the violin rather than treating it as a distant specialty.