Wonderlijke uitvinding van een mortier waarmee soldaten in een bol door de lucht geschoten kunnen worden, 1686 1686

This 1686 engraving by an anonymous artist depicts a fantastical invention: a mortar that could launch soldiers inside a sphere through the air. The detailed image shows the mortar's mechanics and the soldiers preparing for launch, highlighting the absurdity and impracticality of the concept. This satirical artwork, now in the Rijksmuseum, is a testament to the inventive spirit of the time, playfully envisioning a seemingly impossible mode of warfare.