Benjamin Franklin 1798

This 1798 engraving by Pierre Alexandre Tardieu depicts Benjamin Franklin in a formal portrait style. The work features Franklin in an oval frame, presented as a bust-length portrait. He is shown wearing a coat, vest, and cravat, with his hair pulled back. The piece is held by the Metropolitan Museum of Art and showcases the artist's expertise in rendering detail and capturing the likeness of a significant historical figure. The engraving's format and subject matter are characteristic of the popular portrait genre of the late 18th century.