Artwork
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is an ivory painting. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This miniature depicts Benjamin Franklin, a prominent American statesman and inventor.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work stands as a formal representation of Franklin, utilizing these specific attributes to convey his legacy as a learned figure in American history.
Created in 1829 by an unidentified artist, this ivory portrait depicts Benjamin Franklin as its sole main subject. The composition includes a book alongside the statesman, serving as a primary iconographic element. Within the genre of portraiture, the inclusion of the book functions symbolically to represent Franklin's renowned intellect, literary contributions, and identity as a writer and philosopher.
The work stands as a formal representation of Franklin, utilizing these specific attributes to convey his legacy as a learned figure in American history.
Technique & Style
The Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, dated 1829, is executed on an ivory support, a material commonly employed for miniature portraiture in the early nineteenth century. The work, attributed to an anonymous painter and listed as accession number MET 83.2.250 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, portrays Franklin seated with a book, rendered in a restrained, neoclassical style that emphasizes crisp line work and subtle tonal modeling on the ivory surface. The painting’s formal qualities reflect the delicate handling typical of ivory miniatures, where the translucency of the support enhances the luminous quality of the pigments. No further technical specifications or condition reports are recorded in the available documentation.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of Benjamin Franklin, an ivory miniature created in 1829, was executed by an anonymous artist. The work depicts the statesman holding a book and is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the American Wing. While the specific commission details and the full chain of ownership prior to its museum acquisition are not detailed in the available records, the piece is definitively dated to the year 1829.
The attribution remains to an unknown painter, reflecting the common practice of miniature portraiture from this era where the creator's identity was often secondary to the likeness produced. The work entered the Met's holdings as object number 83.2.250, cementing its place in the institution's collection of American art.
The 1829 ivory portrait of Benjamin Franklin is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Within the museum's holdings, the work is classified under The American Wing and carries the accession number 83.2.250. While the piece is attributed to an unknown or anonymous painter, its institutional location and inventory details are clearly documented.
The provided records confirm its status as a portrait depicting Franklin with a book, but do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history for this object.
Overview
This miniature depicts Benjamin Franklin, a prominent American statesman and inventor. Rendered on a small piece of ivory, the portrait is designed to be held in the hand, much like a personal photograph. Franklin is shown seated, dressed in a red coat, with a book resting in his hands, suggesting his intellectual pursuits. The artwork is part of The American Wing collection.
Context
Miniature portraits, such as this depiction of Benjamin Franklin, served a similar function to modern pocket-sized photographs. Their small scale and durable medium, often ivory, made them ideal for personal display and portability. Individuals would carry these intimate likenesses of loved ones or esteemed figures, allowing for private contemplation and a constant connection to the subject.
Artist & collection
