Benjamin Franklin 1785 - 1799

This terracotta sculpture, created by François Marie Suzanne between 1785 and 1799, depicts Benjamin Franklin, a prominent figure in American history. The sculpture, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures Franklin in a thoughtful pose, his right hand resting on a stack of scrolls, symbolizing his intellectual contributions. The detail of Franklin's attire and the realistic rendering of his features showcase Suzanne's skill in capturing a likeness. This work is an example of Neoclassical sculpture, a style characterized by its emphasis on clarity, order, and idealized forms.