Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
58.S.1 |
Object Name |
Bust |
Title |
Bust of Benjamin Franklin |
Artist |
Unidentified |
Artist 2 |
Jean-Jacques Caffieri |
Date |
after 1777 |
Description |
This marble portrait bust of Benjamin Franklin presents the diplomat wearing an overcoat and a loosely tied cravat. His face is highly modeled, and the diplomat’s age is apparent in his wrinkled jowls and creased forehead. Franklin looks out with a straight gaze; his eyes have been carefully detailed with pupils and irises. Franklin’s left eyebrow is slightly raised, and his long hair falls easily over his ears. The front pedestal bears the painted inscription: “BENJ. FRANKLIN”; the inscription is partially abraded with substantial loss in the lettering. |
Label |
Many portraits of Franklin were created when he served as ambassador to France from 1776 to 1785, but the only sculptor granted a sitting with the great man was Jean-Jacques Caffiéri. The character study Caffiéri made in 1777 (now at London’s Royal Academy of Arts) would eventually spawn a mini-industry in Franklin busts, both in America and abroad. Caffiéri’s Paris studio probably executed about twenty copies from the original plaster bust, and later artists made many more. John Rhea Smith presented this marble portrait bust, carved by an unidentified sculptor, to the APS in 1804. In his letter of gift, Smith wrote that the bust "is of Italian workmanship, executed at Florence, & from my imperfect recollection of the Doctor’s features, would seem to be a good likeness.” |
Medium |
Marble |
Dimensions |
H-28 W-21 D-11.5 inches |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of John Rhea Smith, 1804. |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century sculpture Founding Father |