Artwork
The Cannon
The Cannon is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The composition emphasizes scale through the contrast between the foreground weaponry and the diminutive city in the background.
Created circa 1641, *The Cannon* is an etching by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella (1610–1664). Executed in black ink on paper, the print depicts a massive artillery piece aimed toward a distant urban landscape, accompanied by figures attending to its preparation. The composition emphasizes scale through the contrast between the foreground weaponry and the diminutive city in the background.
Subject & Meaning
The image presents a towering cannon poised for bombardment, flanked by two kneeling men—one bearing a torch, the other near a lit fuse—and surrounded by additional barrels and ropes. A lofty tower and rising smoke suggest an impending siege, underscoring themes of military power and the tension between technology and urban vulnerability.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate to render texture and detail. The delicate hatching conveys the metallic sheen of the cannon, the fabric of the figures’ garments, and the atmospheric haze of smoke. The artist’s precise line work creates depth, making the distant city appear small and reinforcing the cannon’s imposing presence.
History & Provenance
Stefano della Bella, prolific in drawing and printmaking, produced over a thousand prints during his career, though only a single painting is documented. *The Cannon* belongs to his extensive oeuvre of military subjects, reflecting his interest in contemporary warfare. The print has circulated among collectors of 17th‑century Italian prints and is held in several museum collections.
Context
The work emerges from a period when Italy’s city‑states were frequently engaged in armed conflict, and artillery played a decisive role in siege tactics. Della Bella’s choice to depict a cannon aligns with the broader 17th‑century fascination with martial technology, while his detailed rendering offers a visual record of the equipment and procedures of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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