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Design for a Demi Cannon

17th century
Not on view
This is a rare design for a type of bronze cannon primarily used in siege warfare, to be cast for the city of Bologna. The “modern demi cannon” designation in the annotation above the cannon refers to a distinctive type, which Pietro Sardi Romano discusses in L'Artiglieria, his influential treatise on artillery (first published in Venice in 1621). The character of the foliate ornamentation suggests that the design may date to the late seventeenth century. The arms on the base of the first reinforce are of the city of Bologna. The canopy surmounting them is the papal parasol that with the crossed keys of St Peter (omitted in the drawing) commonly complemented Bologna’s civic arms following the town’s incorporation into the Papal States in 1506. The name “Pietro Zanini” may identify the author of the drawing or the original designer of the model.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Design for a Demi Cannon
  • Date: 17th century
  • Culture: Italian
  • Medium: Pen and wash in brown ink, and graphite on paper
  • Dimensions: 8 3/8 x 47 in. (21.2 x 119.3 cm)
  • Classification: Drawings
  • Credit Line: Purchase, Friends of Arms and Armor Gifts, 2022
  • Object Number: 2022.11
  • Curatorial Department: Arms and Armor

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