Small Howitzer (Field Cannon) of Artillery Captain Johannes Faulhaber

1600/35

Bronze, iron, and wood

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In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

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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