Art Institute of Chicago

Small Howitzer (Field Cannon) of Artillery Captain Johannes Faulhaber

German; possibly Ulm

Date

1600/35

Medium

Bronze, iron, and wood

Culture

Ulm

Department

Applied Arts of Europe

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

This small field cannon, or howitzer, is inscribed with the name and coat of arms of Johannes Faulhaber, a military instrument maker, engineer, and eminent mathematician. During his illustrious career, he collaborated with the astronomer Johannes Kepler, and designed the fortifications of Frankfurt, Basel, and his home city of Ulm, where he was the official surveyor and captain of artillery. This cannon may have been a presentation piece given to celebrate his office as captain, or used to study the science of trajectories.

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