Bernard Ouchard, c.1960

Bernard Ouchard (1925-1979) begain his training as a bowmaker at the age of 13 under his father, Emile Auguste Ouchard. He worked with his father until near the end of WWII, when he joined the French army. From 1949-1971, Bernard worked for the Vidoudez firm in Switzerland, and much of his output is stamped as such. In 1971, he accepted a position as a teacher in the Violinmaking School of Mirecourt, where he worked until his death in 1979. Bernard Ouchard was a prominent figure in the rise of the New French School, which produced some of the most prominent contemporary figures in bowmaking. His students include Jean Grunberger, Gille Duhaut, Jean-Pascal Nehr, Benoit Rolland, and many more.

 

This particular example is stamped VIDOUDEZ GENEVE and features and octagonal stick of dark, lightly-figured pernambuco, with synthetic tip plate, silver winding, and black lizard skin grip. The frog is fully mounted in silver, with Parisian eyes, pearl slide, and octagonal silver button.