Who painted Firing the Cannon?

Firing the Cannon was painted by Jacques Callot in 1634.

Where can I see Firing the Cannon?

Firing the Cannon is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Firing the Cannon?

Firing the Cannon is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Firing the Cannon

Jacques Callot , 1634

Firing the Cannon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1634 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s 1634 print *Firing the Cannon* is an etching executed on laid paper. The image captures a bustling scene in which several figures cooperate to load and discharge a large artillery piece. Rendered with Callot’s characteristic attention to detail, the work exemplifies his prolific output of more than a thousand prints that document early‑modern life.

Subject & Meaning

The composition centers on a group of men engaged in the operation of a cannon, each assigned a specific task—from hauling powder to positioning the charge. By foregrounding the coordinated labor of soldiers, the print highlights the collective effort behind military technology and offers a snapshot of contemporary martial practice.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate before transferring the image onto laid paper. His use of delicate, cross‑hatched strokes creates a dense network of textures that delineate individual figures, equipment, and background elements, allowing the viewer to discern the varied roles within the scene.

Context

Created in the Duchy of Lorraine during the Baroque period, the print aligns with Callot’s broader interest in military subjects, which he explored throughout his career. While the original plate’s ownership history is not fully documented, prints of *Firing the Cannon* circulated among collectors of the 17th‑century French print market and remain in several museum collections today.