Cannon-shaped Ballot Box c. 1941

This is Joseph Ficcadenti’s "Cannon-shaped Ballot Box", made with graphite and watercolor on paper. Ficcadenti lived through both World Wars and the Great Depression. Given the time in which he lived, we can only imagine that he reflected on the rise of global conflict and its impact on the lives of everyday citizens. This seemingly simple image quietly asks us to consider the power we hold when we cast our vote. What does it mean to live in a society where the act of voting is supposed to be as decisive as firing a cannon? The visual metaphor of a cannon cleverly reframes the notion of civic participation, underscoring the potential force of collective action. Rather than depicting a scene of conflict, Ficcadenti presents a still life, a silent, almost contemplative image of the cannon ballot. I wonder what Ficcadenti was trying to convey about the power of the vote.