Born in Genoa in 1889, Paolo De Barbieri began working as a cabin boy at the age of thirteen, on a ship on which he embarked without even informing his parents. Returning to live in his hometown, six years later he came into contact with Cesare Candi, but then embarked again to carry out his military service in the navy, making also a few guitars during this period. After the war and a further period of collaboration with Candi, he began working on his own from 1918-1919. During his subsequent career he received several awards and medals, and after the death of his teacher he also became for a short time curator of the "Cannone" by Guarneri del Gesù, the violin favored by Niccolò Paganini.
Precisely that of the "Cannone" was his favorite form during the first period of his activity, while later he also followed other inspirations, particularly a Stradivari model interpreted in a typically Genoese style. From his master he also inherited the construction technique, which involved the use of an external mould and linings passing on top of the corner-blocks. De Barbieri's workmanship is precise and accurate, and characterized by a strong personality: the corners are well dimensioned; the edge substantial and quite rounded, with a broad purfling meeting at the tips in a rather long joint. The cut of the sound holes is steady, as is the carving of the head, finished with a wide chamfer; the central eye is moved towards the top of the volute, which from the front view is quite straight and massive. The varnish is usually thick and red-orange in color.
