Benjamin Franklin 1785

Joseph Duplessis captured Benjamin Franklin in oil on canvas, presenting him as a man of intellect and understated power. The symbols here are subtle, yet potent. Franklin’s plain attire departs from the elaborate aristocratic fashion, signaling his alignment with Enlightenment ideals of reason and simplicity. Consider the recurring motif of the unadorned coat across various portraits of thinkers and revolutionaries. This sartorial choice echoes through time, reminiscent of the philosopher's robe in ancient depictions, each iteration carrying the weight of intellectual authority. What emerges is a collective memory of how leadership presents itself. The direct gaze, a common feature in portraiture across centuries, taps into a primal psychological space, inviting the viewer to connect with Franklin. The viewer engages with his persona, a symbolic father figure of American ingenuity and self-determination.