Benjamin Franklin
Artist: Jean-Antoine Houdon (French, 1741-1828)
Date: after 1778
Dimensions:
H: 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm); H (with base): 20 1/4 in. (51.4 cm)
Medium: Tinted plaster with Atelier seal
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Rike
Object number: 1969.93
Label Text:Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was representative of the American government in France from 1776 to 1785. In 1778 French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon made a terracotta bust of Franklin apparently based on his observations of the great statesman at social events—in fact Houdon seems not to have actually met Franklin until after he made the portrait sculpture.
Houdon created versions of his terracotta sculpture in marble as well as plaster, such as Toledo’s example. Demand for Franklin’s image was strong. He was a celebrity in Paris, attracting attention—even crowds—wherever he went. His nationality, sly wit, and deliberately plain, unfashionable appearance were sources of fascination to 18th-century Parisian society.
Houdon created versions of his terracotta sculpture in marble as well as plaster, such as Toledo’s example. Demand for Franklin’s image was strong. He was a celebrity in Paris, attracting attention—even crowds—wherever he went. His nationality, sly wit, and deliberately plain, unfashionable appearance were sources of fascination to 18th-century Parisian society.
On view
In Collection(s)