Northern Netherlandish, probably Amsterdam, dated 1747

This cannoneer was probably paired with a miniature cannon. A closely related bronze cannoneer in the Rijksmuseum was originally on display in the arms room of the Amsterdam Town Hall. Since the monogram on the figure does not seem to be that of a known sculptor, the ensemble may have served as a tour-de-force presentation piece by a Netherlandish cannon foundry. The date borne by the figure, 1747, was significant in regard to Netherlandish arms: the ongoing war with the French caused the authorities to ban the export of any weaponry, including cannons.

RELATED LITERATURE

H. van der Deijster and P. Bonk, Het Nederlands wonder-toneel geopend in de jaren 1747. en 1748., Leiden, 1749, p. 354; J. Leeuwenberg, Beeldhouwkunst in het Rijksmuseum, Den Haag/ Amsterdam, 1973, p. 244, no. 325