Bus

Art Historical Context

Nestled in The Metropolitan Museum of Art's American Wing, *Bus* is a delicate waxed plaster bust by French sculptor Pierre Joseph Chard, created in 1851. Standing 5 inches (12.7 cm) tall, this intimate portrait captures Benjamin Franklin, polymath Founding Father, statesman, and inventor whose likeness has long symbolized American ingenuity and Enlightenment ideals. Donated in 1883 by William. Huntington, it reflects the 19th-century fascination with heroic American figures, even rendered by a European artist. Chardigny's choice of waxed plaster—a technique involving a plaster core coated with wax for a smooth, lustrous finish—lends the bust a lifelike glow, mimicking more precious materials like marble or bronze while remaining lightweight and affordable. This medium was popular for small-scale reproductions, allowing Franklin's image to grace private studies and homes across the Atlantic. Crafted over half a century after Franklin's death in 1790, the work underscores his enduring legacy during a time of growing American national identity. Though modest in size, *Bus* invites visitors to ponder Franklin's multifaceted life—from his experiments with electricity to his role in the Revolution—through Chardigny's skilled modeling of his thoughtful expression and iconic features. A charming testament to transatlantic cultural exchange, it highlights how art preserves history's giants for everyday admiration.

About the Artist

Pierre Joseph Chardigny · 1794–1866

1794–1866