Portrait Medallion of Benjamin Franklin

Description From 1765 to 1775, Franklin resided in London where he represented the interests of the American colonies. Hackwood modeled this medallion for Josiah Wedgwood, one of the most ardent English supporters of the American Revolution. The composition is based on a 1778 relief by the French sculptor Jean Baptiste Nini (1717-1786).

Exhibitions

• Portrait Medallions of Jean-Baptiste Nini. The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 2009-2010.

Provenance M. W. Furman and E. F. Furman, Baltimore; Walters Art Museum, May 1974, by gift.

Inscriptions [Inscription] Obverse: FRANKLIN; [Maker's mark] Reverse: Wedgwood and Bentley

Credit Gift of Messrs. M. W. and E. F. Furman, 1974