1496—Venice, Italy

In Gentile Bellini’s painting, Procession in Piazza San Marco, a lengthy procession includes a wind band with an instrument that appears to be an alto trombone. Given the early date, the image may simply represent an artist’s attempt at a trombone rather than a specific depiction of an alto trombone. It is also noted that the trombonist is clothed in red; historians have observed that color of dress in processions in general, and this procession in particular, is highly significant, highlighting an elaborate social hierarchy (Hills 173-178). A full view of Bellini’s painting shows the position of the wind band within a section of the procession (middle-right of image; click on image for larger version). Finally, the painting depicts an event said to have taken place approximately 50 years earlier—25 April 1444—when, during a procession on the square, Jacopo de’ Salis knelt before the relic (a fragment of the cross) in prayer that his dying son might recover, then, upon returning home, discovered that the boy was well again. Had the trombone been a cutting-edge, brand new musical instrument in 1496, it is somewhat unlikely that Bellini would have included it in a painting meant to depict events from half a century earlier (Venice, Accademia; public domain).

Catherine Cornaro, Queen of Cyprus