Plaque 1767 - 1800

Joseph Duplessis rendered this plaque of Benjamin Franklin using paint on porcelain. At just over two and a half inches in diameter, the work’s circular format draws the eye immediately to Franklin's face, the artist's skillful use of light creating a focal point that captures the statesman’s composed and knowing expression. The portrait's monochromatic palette lends a stoic quality to the piece, a fitting choice for representing a figure of the Enlightenment. Duplessis uses subtle gradations of tone to model Franklin's features, carefully constructed through the manipulation of light and shadow. The formal composition, which tightly frames Franklin, adds to the portrait's sense of immediacy, drawing us closer to the man himself. In considering the structure of the plaque, we can also note how Duplessis likely viewed Franklin – as a man of intellect and composure whose presence could be captured through the interplay of form and light. The portrait is not merely a likeness but an exploration of character through visual means.