Artwork
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is an unspecified painting. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This canvas presents a depiction of Benjamin Franklin, characterized by a dark coat and a white cravat.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The portrait depicts Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), the American statesman, inventor, and polymath, rendered posthumously in 1829.
The portrait depicts Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), the American statesman, inventor, and polymath, rendered posthumously in 1829. As a commemorative image produced decades after his death rather than a life portrait, the work functions as a tribute that reinforces Franklin's enduring status as a foundational figure in American history and a symbol of civic virtue, Enlightenment ideals, and scientific inquiry. Its plain presentation evokes his reputation for republican simplicity and intellectual humility.
History & Provenance
The Portrait of Benjamin Franklin is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is classified within the American Wing. The work carries the accession number 83.2.248. Created in 1829 by an anonymous artist, the painting depicts the American statesman and is cataloged as a portrait on canvas.
While the specific exhibition history is not detailed in the provided records, the object is maintained at the museum's location and identified by its unique inventory number within their holdings.
Overview
This canvas presents a depiction of Benjamin Franklin, characterized by a dark coat and a white cravat. His face is visibly lined, and his gray hair appears untamed, as he gazes directly outward. Created after Franklin's death, this work offers a visual representation of the statesman within the museum's American Wing collection.
Technique & Style
The artist based this portrait on an earlier depiction of Franklin, rather than a live sitting. A key stylistic choice involved altering the subject's eyes, rendering them with a heightened sharpness that conveys a sense of life. This specific modification elevates the painting beyond a simple copy, imparting a more personal and immediate quality to the representation.
Artist & collection
