Also 7–8 vertuoso. Pl. virtuosi (7 vert-) and virtuosos. [It. virtuoso (also vertuoso) ‘learned, skilled, skilful, full of learning’ (Baretti):—L. virtuōsus: see VIRTUOUS a. Hence also F. virtuose, † virtuoso.]
It is frequently difficult in particular instances to decide which of the senses is intended.
† 1. One who has a general interest in arts and sciences, or who pursues special investigations in one or more of these; a learned person; a scientist, savant or scholar. Obs.
Sometimes tending towards a depreciatory sense, as in 2.
α. 1651. in Brent, trans. Sarpi’s Counc. Trent (1676), xxv. There have happened to come to Venice … divers Virtuosi in several professions.
1650. Boyle, New Exp. Phys. Mech., Proem 2. Perceiving by Letters from … Paris, that several of the Virtuosi there, were very intent upon the examination of the Interest of the Ayr in hindring the descent of the Quick-silver. Ibid. (1684–5), Min. Waters, 73. The little Bodies that the ingenious Mr. Lewenhoeck, and since him divers other Virtuosi, have observ’d in Water wherein Pepper has been infus’d.
1709. T. Robinson, Nat. Hist. Westmoreld., xii. 69. That new Hypothesis so stiffly maintained by some of our learned Virtuosi.
1739. Dublin Soc. Weekly Observ., I. No. 26. 172. Some Virtuosi tell you that continued Fermentation and repeated racking certainly spoil your Cyder.
1754. Fielding, Voy. Lisbon, ¶ 16. The former receives the thanks of mankind; the latter [i.e., the antiquary] of that valuable part, the virtuosi.
[1855. Kingsley, Westward Ho! xvi. Philip Sidney … has given up his rightful place toward the head of the table that he may have a knot of virtuosi all to himself.]
β. 1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. v. 8. The gallant Dispute which arose … between some Letterati of the State, deserves to be written; every one of these Vertuosie defended their own Opinion as the best.
1665. Glanvill, Scepsis Sci., xi. 58. As great Wits, as it may be e’re saw the Sun, such as Pythagoras, Des-Cartes, Copernicus, Galileo, More, Kepler, and generally the vertuosi of the awakened world.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., 36. The Projectors who are generally broken Citizens, were coop’d up in the Counters and Ludgate;… the Vertuosi were confined to Gresham-College.
γ. 1656. Blount, Glossogr., Virtuoso,… a learned or ingenious person, or one that is well qualified.
1660. Ingelo, Bentiv. & Ur., II. (1682), 22. I must not offend these Virtuoso’s with laughing at them.
1676. Glanvill, Ess., III. 30. Another excellent Virtuoso of the same Assembly, Mr. John Evelyn, hath very considerably advanced the History of Fruit and Forest-Trees.
1706. E. Ward, Wooden World Diss. (1708), 60. He’s no Digbian Virtuoso,… for he knows not how to sympathize with any mans Wounds whatever.
1732. Berkeley, Alciphr., II. § 14. Certain particularities discovered in that animal by a modern virtuoso.
1778. Eng. Gazetteer (ed. 2), s.v. Comb-Martin, They were neglected till the reign of queen Elizabeth, when Sir Beavis Bulmer, a virtuoso in refining metals, got great quantities of silver from them.
[1834. Southey, Doctor, vi. (1862), 19. There were in him undeveloped talents which might have raised him to distinction as … a virtuoso of the Royal Society.]
δ. 1656. Earl Monm., trans. Boccalini’s Advts. fr. Parnass., I. ii. 5. Appearing much displeased at the affront done this man, he first honoured him with the name of Vertuoso [etc.].
1683. Kennett, trans. Erasm. on Folly, 60. To these are to be added those plodding Vertuoso’s that plunder the most inward recesses of Nature.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon., I. 852. He was afterwards an eminent Physician, Vertuoso, and Knight.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., ix. (1709), 89. The Vertuoso despises the Rich for making such a bustle about so foolish and pale-fac’d a Metal as Gold.
2. One who has a special interest in, or taste for, the fine arts; a student or collector of antiquities, natural curiosities or rarities, etc.; a connoisseur; freq., one who carries on such pursuits in a dilettante or trifling manner.
α, β. 1662. Evelyn, Chalcogr., iii. 34. The Greeks and inventive Romans, who … publish’d so many thousands of medails, and coynes as are in the hands and collections of the Virtuosi.
1675. Hobbes, Iliad, To Rdr. There be many men called critiques, and wits, and vertuosi, that are accustomed to censure the poets, and most of them of divers judgements.
a. 1711. Shaftesb., Charac., III. 157. A Worse thing than this happens commonly to these inferior Virtuosi. In seeking so earnestly for Raritys, they fall in love with Rarity, for Rareness-sake.
1781. J. Moore, View Soc. Italy (1790), II. lxxi. 367. The beautiful head of Alexander is universally admired by all the virtuosi.
1839. Hallam, Hist. Lit., II. viii. § 61. The well-known word virtuosi, applied to these lovers of what was rare and beautiful in art or nature.
1851. D. Wilson, Preh. Ann. (1863), I. v. 153. The virtuosi to whose inspection it was submitted.
1876. Morley, Crit. Misc., Ser. I. (1877), 349. For intellectual dilettanti and moralising virtuosi.
γ, δ. c. 1665. Cowley, Queen’s repairing Somerset-house, 86. If any prouder Virtuoso’s sense At that part of my Prospect take offence.
1667. Dryden & Dk. Newcastle, Sir M. Marall, III. (beginning). I am sure, in all companies I pass for a virtuoso.
a. 1700. Evelyn, Diary, 1 March, 1644. One of the greatest virtuosos in France, for his collection of pictures, achates, medalls, and flowers.
1729. Mandeville, Fab. Bees, II. 414. Look upon the mighty labours of antiquaries, botanists, and the vertuoso’s in butterflies, cockle-shells, and other odd productions of nature.
1749. Fielding, Tom Jones, VIII. x. A great number of nicknacks and Curiosities, which might have engaged the attention of a virtuoso.
1787. Mme. D’Arblay, Diary, June. Virtuosos being next … named, Colonel Manners inveighed against them quite violently.
1825. Gentl. Mag., XCV. I. 332. The Virtuoso will appreciate justly this small volume as a very instructive and agreeable manual.
1858. Merivale, Rom. Emp., liii. (1865), VI. 324. For painting and sculpture, as Grecian arts, he may have acquired the taste of a virtuoso.
1885. J. Payn, Talk of Town, I. 183. He was a virtuoso and antiquary himself, and therefore recognised the full extent of his danger.
transf. 1829. Lytton, Devereux, II. vi. Salter is a shaving virtuoso.
1837. Lockhart, Scott, IV. v. 161. Excellent dishes,—such … as Scotland borrowed from France before Catherine de Medicis brought in her Italian virtuosi to revolutionize the kitchen like the court.
3. One who has special knowledge or skill in music; spec., in modern use, one who excels in, or devotes special attention to, technique in playing or singing.
1743. Bp. Berkeley, in Fraser, Life, viii. (1871), 289. Such virtuosi as the country affords; I mean in the way of music.
1764. Advert., in N. & Q., 3rd Ser. IV. 386. The late famous Vertuoso Handel, received during his Life-time, such particular protection.
1834. Beckford, Italy, II. xxxi. 222, note. All these virtuosi … were either contraltos of the softest note, or sopranos of the highest squeakery.
1859. Wraxall, trans. R. Houdin (1860), xi. 155. I had often heard a nightingale sing, which I thought was the ‘star’ among the virtuosi.
1900. Daily News, 19 June, 4/7. A piece of little or no musical merit … has of late years come again into fashion with violin virtuosi.
4. attrib., as virtuoso collection, country, expression, kind, scheme, etc.
1668. Cowley, Ess. Verse & Prose, Of Avarice. As if thou No other Use of precious Gold didst know, But that of curious Pictures to delight With the fair stamp thy Virtuoso Sight.
1700. T. Brown, trans. Fresny’s Amusem., x. (1709), 100. The Philosophical, or Virtuosi Country.
1710. Shaftesb., Charac. (1711), I. 157. In Philosophy, Matters answer exactly to this Virtuoso-Scheme. Ibid., 333. To the Academys of Painters, Statuarys, and to the rest of the Virtuoso-Tribe.
1727. Gay, Fables, I. xvi. 24. Her head’s of virtuoso kind.
1775. S. J. Pratt, Liberal Opin., civ. (1783), III. 251. I would peep into the … opinions of men, with a sort of virtuoso vigilance.
1835. Willis, Pencillings, I. vi. 38. About his mouth and eye there was the proper virtuoso expression of inquisitiveness and discrimination.
1856. Kane, Arct. Expl., II. ix. 93. Near these is a virtuoso collection of cups grouped in a tumulus or cairn.
1882. Annie Edwardes, Ballroom Repent., I. 52. With her Stradivarius tucked, in true virtuoso style, under her chin.
