A Violin by Pierre Hel

Pierre Jean Henri Hel (1884–1937) was a distinguished French luthier based in Lille and a leading figure in the early 20th-century French violin-making tradition. He was the son and successor of the renowned maker Joseph Hel (Pierre Joseph Hel), whose international reputation he successfully upheld and expanded.

Pierre Hel’s instruments were highly sought after by the era's leading soloists. His fame skyrocketed after the Romanian composer and violinist George Enescu performed on a Pierre Hel violin during a 1923 U.S. tour. Other notable performers included Eugène Ysaÿe, Jacques Thibaud, and Stephane Grappelli.