Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) c. 18th century

Editor: Here we have a Wedgwood plaque depicting Benjamin Franklin. It's a small, dark, and almost industrial-looking piece. What stands out to you about it? Curator: For me, it's the material itself – Wedgwood's jasperware – and the process behind it. It elevates industrial pottery to fine art. Consider the labor involved, the social context of Wedgwood's factories, and how this mass-produced object also functioned as a portrait of an elite figure. Editor: So, it's less about Franklin himself and more about how he's represented and consumed? Curator: Precisely. Wedgwood shrewdly marketed these medallions, capitalizing on Franklin's fame. The act of owning this mass produced object reflects a specific type of consumer culture. It's a powerful statement about materiality and class. Editor: That gives me a totally new perspective on what I thought was just a simple portrait! Curator: Indeed, shifting our focus to the means of production and circulation opens up fascinating avenues of interpretation.