The tuba was not invented until 1835. When this tuba drawing was included in an 1844 edition of L’Illustration, it must have been new to many of the magazine’s French-speaking readers. I tried translating some of the surrounding text but did not find where they were discussing this particular musical instrument. They were however, discussing the work of Adolphe Sax, who is remembered for having invented the saxophone and designing the Saxtuba.
This tuba drawing is quite different from the instrument we see in today’s bands and orchestras. It has obviously undergone a number of modifications to become the instrument used by today’s musicians.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.