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…
cornetto iconography
Trombones in Rome’s San Giovanni in Laterano
Added the following to the 16th century timeline. For reasons of space, only the detail is included in the timeline. Special thanks to Dennis F. Cramer for the photographs. 1598—Rome, Italy: An organ is built for San Giovanni in Laterano…
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,…
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…
Wedding Bells: Trombone in Wedding Celebrations
I just added another image to the 19th century timeline (2nd half), another depiction of a wedding celebration that includes trombone (c. 1885, shown below). Wedding celebrations constitute a fairly common theme in trombone history, with a total of 14…
Trombone Iconography: Young Trombonists in Five Montserrat Paintings
In my search for images for the Trombone History Timeline I’ve come across some pretty interesting little trends and groupings—trombones in altarpieces, trombones on organ cases, angel-trombonists, trombones in Antwerp, early rear-facing trombones, early female trombonists, etc. Another noteworthy little…
Trombone History: The Trombone and Altarpieces
I recently added the below altarpiece to the 16th century timeline. The religious significance of the early trombone is actually reflected in several altarpieces from the 16th and early 17th centuries; I’ve included 5 others in this blog post, all…
Trombone History: What a Relief
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…
Trombone History: Saint Cecilia and the Trombone
Added another image to the 17th Century (first half) timeline. St. Cecilia is, of course, the patron saint of musicians; it is said that she sang to God as she was dying. This particular painting seems to have a pretty clear…