Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790), after a Painting by Greuze of 1777 1777

Charles Paul Jérôme de Bréa created this miniature portrait of Benjamin Franklin, after a 1777 painting by Greuze. The painting is made with delicate brushstrokes of watercolor on ivory. The artist is emulating the style of oil painting, which was the dominant medium of fine art at the time. To achieve this effect in miniature, would have required painstaking labor. These small-scale portraits were luxury goods, often mounted in jewelry or keepsake boxes, and circulated among a wealthy clientele. Look at the detail of Franklin’s fur collar and the subtle modeling of his face. The process of creating such realistic details on a small scale requires a very skilled hand. The choice of ivory as a ground is significant, too. It’s a precious material, linking this intimate portrait to the larger world of global trade and consumption in the 18th century. Ultimately, this miniature embodies the material and social values of its era, and the skill required elevates the object beyond mere representation.