Cannon Foundry, Tophana 1838

John Frederick Lewis created this scene of the Tophana cannon foundry using watercolor and graphite, media traditionally associated with observation and documentation. The drawing captures a moment of production, but also a moment of profound social significance. Dominating the view is the stone structure itself, a monument to Ottoman engineering and state power. But just as important are the figures populating the scene. Lewis pays attention to the textures and patterns of clothing, and the poses of the workers. The donkey, laden with goods, hints at the wider economic networks that the foundry depended on. The cannon foundry then, is not just a place of industry, but a convergence point for diverse materials, skills, and people. The image invites us to consider the social and economic relationships embedded in the production of even the most imposing objects.