Benjamin Franklin

Art Historical Context

This striking faience portrait Benjamin Franklin in profile, a popular in 18th-century commemorative wares. Created in France between the American Revolution and the late 19th century, the circular plate measures just over eight inches across and exemplifies the decorative arts tradition of translating celebrated figures onto everyday objects. Faience, with its tin-glazed surface, allowed for crisp, durable images that brought political icons into French households. Franklin’s extended stay in France from 1776 onward made him a cultural sensation, and this piece reflects the widespread admiration for the American statesman and inventor among French elites. The design likely draws from engravings by Charles Nicolas Cochin II, whose neoclassical profile style was widely reproduced. Emile Dupont-Zipcy’s later adaptation in ceramic form shows how Franklin’s likeness traveled from print to pottery, sustaining his image as a symbol of Enlightenment ideals and transatlantic friendship long after his death. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum through the William H. Huntington gift in 1883, the work now resides in the American Wing, bridging French craftsmanship with American history. Its modest scale and elegant silhouette invite viewers to consider how revolutionary figures were celebrated across media and borders.