Trombone
Added the following image and entry to the 17th century (first half) trombone history timeline:
1602—Weikersheim Castle, Germany: An organ for the castle chapel is made by Georg Schweitzer. The case just below the organ contains an image of a trombonist performing with a flute, viol, and organ (see facing detail and full image below; public domain) (Völkl 39).
Added the below trombone images and entry to the 16th Century (first half) Timeline. This particular trombone image shows characteristics of both a slide trumpet (e.g., the long bell section, the low brace between bell and slide that would preclude movement of a double slide) and a trombone (e.g., a possible double slide, the overall length, the way the instrument is not being gripped near the mouth, and the curve of tubing that extends behind the head). This depiction’s ambiguity places it among other “Curious Images” that may represent the transition between slide trumpet and trombone. As always, the thing to remember, of course, is that artwork is not always literal.
1608—Gravedona, Italy: Glory of God the Father and the Angels, a fresco by Giovanni Mauro della Rovere (also known as Fiammenghino), located in the Church of Santi Gusmeo e Matteo, includes a depiction of what could be a trombone. The instrument has characteristics of both slide trumpet and trombone; it could simply be an awkwardly-rendered depiction of either instrument. Other nearby angel-musicians play viol, organ, flute, and lute (see facing detail and medium detail below; public domain) (Angelis 43).
Added a really nice painting by German artist Hans Baldung to the 16th Century Timeline, dating from fairly early in the history of the trombone. The angel’s grip of the slide is interesting, but probably not a literal representation. In general terms, notice the fairly equal balance of religious versus secular trombone iconography from the 16th century.
1516—Freiburg, Germany: Hans Baldung’s painting, Coronation of the Virgin, the central panel of an altarpiece located in the Freiburg Cathedral, includes an angel-trombonist among a group of angels playing wind instruments above and to the left of the Virgin (see facing detail and full image, below; public domain) (Burkhard pl. 2).
Found the below Italian fresco that features a rear-facing (or over-the-shoulder) trombone and added it to the early 17th century timeline. I know of only one other pre-19th century image that clearly shows such an instrument; I’ve included that image in this post as well (1578). Also included at the end of the post (since the entries are in reverse-chronological order) is what is perhaps a proto-rear-facing trombone from c. 1405. The fresco from c. 1615 is also of interest because it has only recently been restored (and, indeed, at the base of the photograph you can see what appear to be some restoration materials left in the picture). Also noteworthy in the painting is the trombone’s bell flare, which is more prominent than usual for this early date. Finally, as I have mentioned several times, it is quite arresting just how many trombone images originate from the 50-year period of 1601-1650.
c. 1615—Cislago, Italy: The Church of Santa Maria della Neve contains an anonymous fresco lunette featuring several angel musicians, including a trombonist. The trombone is particularly noteworthy because it is a rear-facing (sometimes called “over-the-shoulder”) instrument, an unusual configuration for this early date (see below image; public domain) (Morandi; Farioli). For another early rear-facing instrument, see 1578 in the 16th century timeline, where a cherub-trombonist is featured. In later centuries, particularly the 19th century, rear-facing trombones become much more common; the 19th century timeline includes at least 9 such images.
1578—Antwerp, Belgium: A set of masses by George de La Hele includes an image–an initial D in front of a group of cherub musicians–that features a rear-facing trombone being played by a cherub (also rear-facing) (see below image; public domain; Wangermée vol. 1 167).
c. 1405—Paris, France: A grotesque from the Hours of Charles the Noble plays what is perhaps a proto-rear-facing trombone; there is no slide, but the similarity in general shape is obvious (see below image; public domain) (RIdIM/RCMI Inventory No. 8, p. 21).
Added the following images, quite a bit different in character, to the 17th Century (first half) and 19th Century (2nd half) timelines, respectively. The similarity, of course, is that they both include a trombone.
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c. 1610—Antwerp, Belgium: Hendrick van Balen’s painting, The Banquet of the Gods, includes a trombone resting on the ground among several other instruments (see bottom right of facing detail; public domain image). For other paintings by the same artist that include trombone, see c. 1615 and c. 1625.
1858—London, England: An illustration of the band of the French National Guard published in London’s Illustrated Times includes trombone (see facing image; public domain).
Added a pair of images from The Graphic, an illustrated weekly newspaper published in London, to the 19th (2nd half) and 20th century timelines. The first one appears to be a somewhat satirical depiction of a German band, which would seem to fit into the general pattern of satirical or humorous images from the late 19th century that include trombone. The second one, a depiction of a group of wind musicians performing from a tower or balcony of some sort, couples nicely with the timeline’s previous image, a greeting card depicting 3 trombonists playing from a tower (see 1904 in the 20th century timeline).
1872—London, England: A humorous depiction of an ensemble titled German Band is published in The Graphic, an illustrated weekly newspaper (see facing image; public domain).
1906—London, England: The Graphic, an illustrated weekly newspaper, publishes a drawing by Lucas of 5 wind musicians playing from a balcony. Two of the five appear to be valve trombones (see facing image; public domain).
Added the image below to the 17th Century (first half) timeline. Seems like the trombone’s always in the back…(see also here).
1600s—Italy: An anonymous Italian painting portrays an instrumental ensemble with diverse dress and a mixed grouping of winds, strings, and keyboard (see facing image; public domain).
Added the following entry to the 18th Century Trombone History Timeline about an anonymous depiction of an angel-trombonist among other angel-musicians. With the painting mentioned in the last post, it would appear to be rare historically, being one of only a few paintings outside of the 16th and 17th centuries I’ve been able to locate that depict trombonists as angel-musicians. The trombone player, by the way, is on the far-right of the painting.
1709—Monticelli d’Ongina, Italy: The church Collegiata di San Lorenzo is refurbished in Baroque style. It is probably at this time that an anonymous artist paints a fresco in the church depicting several angel-musicians, including a trombonist. This painting, along with the painted wood ceiling in Tönning, Germany (see 1704, above), is a relatively late example of trombone being depicted among angel-musicians (see facing detail and full image, below; public domain) (Genesi).
I have encountered many interesting images that include trombones while compiling the Trombone History Timeline. The 17th century, in particular, seems to be full of artwork that includes trombones–oil paintings, frescoes on church ceilings and castle walls, engravings, carvings, manuscript title pages, festival books, etc. However, one of the more intriguing images that I have not been able to trace historically is this engraving from Dover’s Music, A Pictoral Archive of Woodcuts & Engravings: 841 Copyright-free Illustrations for Artists & Designers (compiled by Jim Harter; New York: Dover, 1980). No artist or source for the image is given, and the picture doesn’t seem to be used in any of the common trombone history books or articles.
The picture includes a trombone (possibly an alto trombone) performing in a small wind ensemble accompanying a puppet show. It appears to be an old image. However, in speaking with a university art professor, it was not clear whether the picture was an authentic 17th or 18th century work, or a more recent image simply designed to look old. If you happen to have any information or documentation about it, let me know!