Several weeks ago I blogged about a red chalk drawing by an artist named Il Volterrano (also known variously as Baldassare Franceschini and Franceschini Baldassare detto Volterrano). The image, a preparatory drawing for a 17th-century Florentine fresco, features trombone prominently among two other…
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Trombone and the Art of Illusion
Quadratura is a type of illusionistic painting that interacts with a building’s architecture, often extending or altering the actual appearance of the architecture. Popular with Baroque artists, it is similar to other illusionistic techniques such as trompe-l’œil, although it tends…
How Early Should You Start Playing Trombone? A Young 17th-Century Trombonist
Just added another trombone image to the 17th century timeline (first half). He doesn’t look much older than my one-year-old son! c. 1629—Venice, Italy: Veronese artist Fra Semplice da Verona includes a depiction of a cherub playing trombone in Infant…
Trombone History Image Update
Updated the entry below from the 17th century timeline (first half) with a color image and exact date. Also of interest is the fact that the painting is an altarpiece, one of many featuring trombone images. 1616—Bologna, Italy: Ludovico Carracci’s Paradise,…
Crossing Your Legs While You Play: A 17th Century Trombone Drawing
Heard you should never cross your legs while you play? Well, this 17th century angel-trombonist, recently added to the Trombone History Timeline, must not have been there for the band director’s lecture. c. 1642—Florence, Italy: Il Volterrano (also known variously…
The Adoration of the Magi: Another Angel Trombonist
What do trombone history and the Christian adoration of the magi have in common? Well, I came across this painting recently, which has been added to the 17th century trombone history timeline (first half), offering yet another example of an…
In the Details: Trombones on Casparini’s Famous Organ
Posted a much better detail of this trombone sculpture in the 17th century timeline (2nd half). You can even see an extension handle on the trombone. At the bottom is a large detail not included in the timeline. For many…
Trombone History: First Non-Italian Depiction of Trombone
Added the following to the 16th century timeline, possibly the first non-Italian depiction of the trombone. Below the first two images and caption I’m also adding here an image I didn’t include in the timeline–I wider shot that includes the…
Trombone History: 16th Century Angel-Trombonist
Added the following image and caption to the 16th century timeline–yet another example of an angel-trombonist, this time going solo. The engraving probably originates from Germany. c. 1570—An engraving by Franz Ignaz Brun from the Nine Muses series features an…
Milan: Fashion, Opera, and Trombone?
Milan is a city known for both high fashion and opera (home of Giuseppe Verdi and La Scala opera house). But trombone? I recently added a number of entries centering around Milan to the Trombone History Timeline, revealing a fairly…