Artillerie 1881 - 1883

This drawing of artillery was sketched by George Hendrik Breitner, though the date remains unknown. The prominent symbol here is the artillery itself. These cannons, instruments of destruction and power, evoke a visceral reaction tied to our deepest fears and aggressions. Throughout history, weapons have held a dual significance. Consider the bronze axes of ancient Crete, as objects of both beauty and terror, adorning palace walls while also being used in war. This duality echoes in Breitner’s sketch, where the raw lines hint at both the mechanical precision and the potential for chaos. The cannon, in its phallic form, can even be said to embody potent psychological symbolism. It is an instrument of penetration and force, tapping into primal instincts of dominance and subjugation. And so, these instruments of war resurface across time, their echoes reminding us of humanity’s enduring dance with destruction.