Benjamin Franklin 1784

Curator: Augustin Dupré created this relief sculpture titled "Benjamin Franklin" in 1784. It’s crafted from metal and resides here at The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Editor: First impression? Intensely serious. That sharp profile against the cool metal has this incredibly austere feel. It's powerful, in a reserved way. A sort of stoic gravitas. Curator: Exactly. Consider the context. This neoclassical portrait embodies Enlightenment ideals of reason and virtue. Think about the revolutions brewing; Franklin as diplomat, seeking French support for American independence. The portrait becomes symbolic of republican values during immense social upheaval. Editor: Symbolism...right. Those tight, classical lines practically scream 'stability' and 'order.' But I find myself wondering: what was he REALLY like? What kind of stories would HE tell about creating a "new" nation? He's kind of frozen in time. Like fancy propaganda? Curator: That's a very pertinent point. Portraits of powerful men always served a very specific purpose: to project authority and legacy. This neoclassical depiction avoids overt expressions of personality. This allows Franklin to be perceived not just as an individual, but an embodiment of universal principles. His identity, as a man of science and diplomacy, gets somewhat erased. Editor: Huh. Erased…That kind of chills me. Like, was this sculpture really about immortalizing the person, or some sanitized idea? Makes you wonder who’s being left out of the shiny metal stories they decided to engrave in the historical books, y’know? Curator: Yes, who and how individuals like Franklin shape historical narratives is a fascinating entry point to explore questions of power, agency, and social exclusion within national identities and art history. We get to investigate whose image gets to become so solidified as "heroic." Editor: Solidified heroes. I’m gonna let that one roll around a little… Food for thought, definitely. Maybe even the perfect launching pad for a counter-narrative.