Niccolò Amati (1596-1684) was an influential Italian luthier known for his exceptional craftsmanship in violin making. He was born in Brescia, a city renowned for its string instrument production. Amati's violins are celebrated for their beautiful shapes and rich tones, which set a standard for future generations of violin makers. Amati trained several prominent luthiers, including Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri, who would go on to create their own legendary instruments. His work laid the foundation for the Cremonese school of violin making, which became famous for producing some of the finest violins in history.