The slide is one of the most identifiable visual characteristics of the trombone in artwork. However, when a slide turns up without a bell, it can be problematic. Could it still be a trombone? Are we trying too hard to…
lute iconography
Paper, Canvas, Stone, Silver, Wood, and Glass: St. Cecilia Trombone Image in Many Forms
Last week I posted Evolution of a Trombone Painting, which traced a painting through several sketches to fruition in a church fresco. This new post similarly shows several permutations of an image, though in this case, the images span a…
The Evolution of a Trombone Painting
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…