-Benj. Franklin- still bank c. 1950

Curator: This little fella, titled "-Benj. Franklin- still bank," was cast by Banthrico, Inc. around 1950. Bronze, right? Editor: Exactly. It's a quirky kind of seriousness. The stern gaze is almost comical, and it also makes me question why a founding father is reduced to kitsch like this. What narratives were being sold with this piece, and to whom? Curator: Ah, but it’s that utilitarian charm! It's meant to be handled. This bronze sculpture embodies a figure of wisdom distilled into a chubby, pocket-sized sage. Talk about accessible! What could be more endearing than accumulating a bit of financial savvy by association? Editor: Accessible yes, but is it flattening? This "pocket-sized sage" – is it meant to evoke frugality during a time of particular economic anxieties, maybe right after World War II? Does it promote saving but also participation in capitalistic structures? It seems an endorsement couched as empowerment. Curator: That’s dark but astute, and it gets me thinking about portraits more generally. Think about the tension in miniaturizing power. Are we celebrating Franklin by carrying him in our pocket or taming him? Editor: It feels more complex. Consider how mass production intersects with historical memory. Franklin becomes both a symbol and a commodity, losing complexity as he’s reproduced. Curator: Absolutely. The smoothness of the bronze makes me want to touch it – an incredibly tactile rendition that merges statesman with, well, a piggy bank. But ultimately, I am not immune to the novelty. Editor: Maybe that’s the brilliance, or maybe the deceit. Even a tiny bronze bust like this reverberates with cultural meaning. It’s a reminder that context isn’t just backdrop; it’s part of the artwork’s very composition. Curator: Couldn't agree more. Makes you rethink everything you know about old Ben!