Strolling Through Paris

Art of War: The Captivating Cannons of Les Invalides

Like the gargoyles that guard Notre Dame, the Gates protecting the Palais de Justice or Duchamp’s “Fountain” for that matter, sometimes things can be functional and art at the same time. We encountered just such a circumstance when we were visiting the Invalides.

The courtyard is lined with 50 or so giant cannon. They are captivating. These cannons are simply glorious. With their dark blue / black hue shimmering against the sky and weighing in at over 3,000 lbs. each, they most certainly have great presence. Once you get closer however, you see that they are even more interesting than you originally thought.

Each one is ornamented with a variety of features that make them captivating works of art. Numerous Fleur-de-lis are found on every one. Most feature the Sun King and coats of arms and all are decorated with a variety of floral embellishments. The cascable and knobs of these cannon – the end of the gun opposite the mouth – are alternatively decorated with either Medusa blowing flames or the French national bird, the rooster. Each is also adorned with a pair of dolphin handles. Of course given that they are approximately 3,000 lbs each, I don’t think those handles were for carrying by a couple of soldiers.

These cannons, date from the middle of the 18th century, each featuring a plaque that provides its provenance. It tells when it was cast, the size of the cannon ball used (12 lbs.) and the weight, which varied, but could be between 1,500 & 1,600 Kgs. The plaque also lists the gun’s name and the foundry where it was cast, including places like Lyon and Strasbourg.

These plaques also mention Jean Maritz, the Swiss inventor who became the Commissaire des Fontes (Commissioner of the King’s Foundry) in the early 18th century and whose inventions made French cannon among the most robust and accurate in the world. What’s more, the pieces on display at Invalides may have seen duty during the American Revolution as the French used similar cannon during the Battle of Yorktown. 

Its fascinating to imagine these beautiful pieces sitting on a boat or high upon a hill blasting their artillery as the dozen men who crewed each gun scramble around in the delicate dance that’s required to keep each piece in the battle. It seems only appropriate then that today they sit in a place dedicated to honoring veterans past and caring for veterans present. I wonder if this is what they mean when someone says art reflects life…

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