Bronzen kanon, 3 ponder, VOC Amsterdam 1781

This bronze three-pounder cannon was made for the Dutch East India Company, or VOC, in Amsterdam, by Pieter Seest. The cannon embodies the complex weave of global trade, colonialism, and military power of the 17th and 18th centuries. Reflect on the VOC's dominance, enabled by such weaponry, and its profound impact on international relations, trade routes, and the exploitation of resources and people across continents. This cannon stands as a potent symbol of the VOC’s power and the violence enacted in its pursuit. Consider the skilled craftsmanship required to produce such a weapon, and the labor involved in its creation and deployment. It serves as a reminder of the human cost, both in its production and its use, of the expansionist ambitions of the Dutch Republic. The cannon invites us to confront the legacies of colonialism and to critically examine the narratives of progress and prosperity often associated with this era.