Artwork
Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is a porcelain painting. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small, circular plaque presents a profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin, rendered in what is likely porcelain.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin portrays the American statesman as a mature man rendered in a conventional portrait format.
The Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin portrays the American statesman as a mature man rendered in a conventional portrait format. The work, dating to 1829 and executed likely in porcelain, presents Franklin in a manner typical of early nineteenth-century likenesses, emphasizing his recognizable facial features and dignified bearing. As a portrait within The American Wing's collection, it functions as a visual record of Franklin's enduring public image, embodying the Enlightenment ideals of intellect and civic virtue that he symbolized in the young United States.
Technique & Style
The Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin (1829) is executed on a porcelain support, a medium consistent with decorative or commemorative plaques of the period. Measuring 7.6 by 6 centimeters, the work's small scale suggests it may have been intended for intimate display or as a collectible. The technique likely involves overglaze painting, a method common in porcelain decoration, though specific handling details remain undocumented.
Stylistically, the portrait adheres to neoclassical conventions, emphasizing crisp linearity and idealized physiognomy to evoke Franklin's intellectual gravitas.
History & Provenance
The Plaque Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, with the accession number 83.2.220. The work was accessioned into the museum's collection in 1983. It has not been recorded as part of any documented exhibition history in the provided sources.
Overview
This small, circular plaque presents a profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin, rendered in what is likely porcelain. The depiction features Franklin with his hair tied back, his expression composed. Soft hues of blue and white dominate the piece, accented by subtle touches of gold, contributing to its refined yet understated appearance. The object's modest scale and material suggest its intended role as a personal memento.
Artist & collection
