Ergonomic Viola - Image 2

The decoration on Rivinus' ergonomic viola features the South Dakota state flower—the Pasque—painted by the maker himself on the top and back in violin varnish and mineral pigments. Rivinus made this viola, which he named Pascal, specifically for presentation to the National Music Museum. Other decorative elements on the front and back of the viola include abstract inlaid purfling decoration on lower treble bout of top and pufling extending into the back to form an abstract flower pot from which natural wood-colored pasque flowers and green stems emerge.