Barometers Realm

Pierre Barella: Lithographer, Publisher, and Artistic Figure of the 19th Century

Pierre Barella (born in the early 19th century, exact date unknown) was a renowned lithographer, publisher, and writer based in Louvain (Leuven), Belgium. His work spanned a broad range of artistic and scientific projects, making him a significant figure in the cultural and scientific circles of his time.

Barella managed the Etablissement de Lithographique P. Barella, a lithographic establishment in Louvain specializing in high-quality lithographs. Among his notable works are:

• Portraits des peintres les plus célèbres (1833) — a series of portraits of famous painters, created by Gustave Simonau and Lambert Vandenwildenberg, accompanied by Barella’s descriptive and historical notes.
• Lithographic maps and plans, such as Guide des étrangers à Louvain, which included city plans as well as illustrations of buildings and streets.

While Barella was not a barometer maker, he likely contributed to the design and decoration of scientific instruments, including barometers. His name appears on barometer dials, suggesting that he provided lithographic services for creating precise and decorative elements, a common practice among lithographers in the 19th century.

Barella made a significant impact on the development of lithography in Belgium and played an active role in the artistic life of Louvain. His works illustrate the dual utility of lithography, serving both cartographic and scientific purposes and showcasing artistic craftsmanship.

Note: Barella likely collaborated with other craftsmen of his era, lending his lithographic expertise to the creation of barometer dials and other scientific instruments. His name on barometers serves as evidence of the breadth of his professional activity.

Family Name and Connections to Barometer Makers

The Barella surname holds notable recognition in the circles of barometer craftsmen, though it is more commonly associated with artisans in Amsterdam, Netherlands. Two prominent figures, Donato Barella and Ambrogio Barella, were active in the 19th century as creators of meteorological instruments.

Donato Barella (1803–?)

Donato Barella was born on September 28, 1803, in Germasino, Italy. He established himself as a craftsman in Amsterdam, where he operated a shop at Kalverstraat 107 from March 1819 to May 1852. Donato’s work contributed to the development of high-quality meteorological instruments, solidifying the Barella name among respected barometer makers in the Netherlands.

Ambrogio Barella (1828–1880)

Ambrogio Barella, born in 1828, was another meteorological instrument maker of Italian origin. He first appeared in Amsterdam’s population registers in 1851. In 1860, he married Geertruida Cornelia Lamarca from Zwolle. After her death, Ambrogio remarried in 1872 and moved to Dordrecht, where he continued his work until his death in 1880. His craftsmanship and contributions to the field of meteorological instruments were highly regarded in the Netherlands.

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