Model Field Cannon (Culverin)
Medium
Bronze, iron, wood, and paint
Classification
firearm-cannon
Department
Applied Arts of Europe
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
106300
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
The coat of arms and inscription cast into the breach (back end) of this model cannon indicates that it was ordered by or presented to Hans Reischperger, the master of artillery for the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II. Reischperger might have used it for courtly amusement or firing salutes. Conversely, it may have been a scaled-down model presented to Reischperger by a gun founder (cannon maker) with hopes of gaining commissions from the master artilleryman for full-size artillery. Cannons were c...