Benjamin Franklin 1785 - 1799

This terracotta sculpture of Benjamin Franklin was made by François Marie Suzanne, likely in the late 18th century. Terracotta, meaning "baked earth" in Italian, is a humble material, but capable of great detail. Note the crispness of Franklin's coat, the texture of his hair, and the expressive rendering of his face. The clay would have been carefully modeled, then fired in a kiln to harden it permanently. Terracotta's affordability and ease of production made it a popular choice for portrait busts and smaller sculptures, especially in an era when marble was costly and time-consuming to carve. In this way, the material connects to the broader social context of the Enlightenment, and its emphasis on reason and accessibility. Franklin, the self-made man, is aptly rendered in this democratic material. Looking at this sculpture, we’re reminded that even seemingly straightforward portraits are the result of skillful making, and that materials themselves carry cultural meaning.