Benjamin Franklin 1770 - 1800

Editor: Here we have a ceramic plate from between 1770 and 1800, portraying Benjamin Franklin. It's… an interesting choice to put a portrait on a plate. It gives the artwork a strange sense of domesticity. What's your interpretation of this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how the Rococo style, often associated with the aristocracy, is used to depict Franklin, a figure linked to democratic ideals. The placement of his image on a ceramic plate brings up questions of accessibility and the "democratization" of portraiture. Consider the context of the late 18th century – what does it mean to reproduce and circulate his image in this way? Editor: So, is it trying to make him… relatable? More of an everyday figure? Curator: Exactly. It's a way of bringing the political into the domestic space. How might the production and consumption of such an object impact the perception of Franklin and the values he represented? Editor: It's almost like early propaganda, framing him in a specific way for the public. Curator: Precisely! Think about who owned these plates. Were they used, displayed, or kept as collector's items? And how did the choice of ceramic – a breakable, everyday object – play into the message? Editor: That makes you wonder about the statement being made about power and fragility at the time. Thank you for shining light on these aspects. Curator: Indeed! By thinking critically about the intersection of art, history, and society, we gain deeper insight into the values and beliefs of the time and, perhaps, our own.