Where can I see Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin?

Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin?

Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin

Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is a wood painting. It dates from 1780 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This small wooden panel presents a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, a notable figure in American history.

About this work

History & Provenance

The Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically within the institution's American Wing.

The Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is dated to around 1780 (ca. 1780). It is carved from linden, holly, sycamore or harewood and classified within The American Wing as a portrait. The work depicts Benjamin Franklin and is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection, identified by accession number 47.137.8.

Its current ownership rests with the Met, which provides the only documented provenance for the piece. The artist remains unidentified, and no commission details are recorded in the available sources.

The Portrait Panel of Benjamin Franklin is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, specifically within the institution's American Wing. The work is cataloged under the accession number 47.137.8. While the panel dates to approximately 1780 and depicts the American statesman, the available records do not list specific past exhibitions or loan history for this object, focusing instead on its current institutional custody and classification.

Overview

This small wooden panel presents a portrait of Benjamin Franklin, a notable figure in American history. Housed within The American Wing, the artwork is distinguished by its unique construction. Rather than being painted, the depiction of Franklin, with his smooth face, tied-back hair, and simple attire, is achieved through the careful selection and layering of different types of wood, each contributing its inherent color and texture to the composition.

Technique & Style

The panel's distinctive aesthetic arises from its intricate construction using various woods such as linden, holly, sycamore, or harewood. The artist meticulously selected and layered these different species, leveraging their natural hues and grains to create subtle gradations of shadow and depth. This technique, which eschews paint in favor of wood's inherent coloration, results in a complex interplay of tones.

The delicate blending of edges achieved through this method evokes the visual softness associated with the painting technique known as sfumato.

Subject & Meaning

The portrait panel captures Benjamin Franklin, a prominent figure of his era. His depiction emphasizes a smooth facial expression, with his hair neatly tied back, and he is dressed in a simple, unadorned coat. This portrayal presents Franklin with a sense of clarity and directness, focusing on his features without elaborate embellishment, consistent with a straightforward and perhaps intellectual characterization.

Artist & collection

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art

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