Benjamin Franklin Portrait Bust by Houdon, Desk Statue

Paris Wit in Stone: The Benjamin Franklin Bust

This Benjamin Franklin bust catches the sly wit of a celebrated scientist and statesman in 1770s Paris. It stands 8.5 in high in crushed stone resin, in a white or bronze finish on a black base.

It follows the Paris portrait by Jean-Antoine Houdon. The Houdon Franklin sculpture shows a plain, humorous face. It makes a witty Franklin desk statue.

Product Details

• Material: Crushed stone resin
• Finish: White or bronze
• Dimensions: Approx. 8.5 in H x 4 in W x 4 in D, including black base
• Weight: Approx. 3 to 4 lbs
• Style: Franklin desk statue

Franklin Arrives in Paris

Franklin reached Paris in 1776 as the envoy of a new country. He was in his seventies, and his fame as scientist and statesman had spread across the Western world.

Engravings, plates, and miniatures of his face were nearly mass produced. Houdon, his friend, made a portrait of his own.

What the Met Says

The Met dates Houdon's marble Franklin to 1778. It was the first of his portraits of American leaders. Every Benjamin Franklin bust of this type descends from that line.

It captures a somewhat sly persona. Franklin wore his own unpowdered hair and plain suits in a world of wigs.

Scholars debate whether Franklin sat for it. This founding father portrait bust belongs in our American Presidents Collection. A Houdon Franklin sculpture pairs well with Washington and Jefferson.

Display and Care

At 3 to 4 lbs, the Benjamin Franklin bust suits a desk, shelf, or bookcase. Dust the Franklin desk statue with a soft dry cloth. A founding father portrait bust likes dry rooms. Keep it away from damp air.

Jean-Antoine Houdon in Brief

Houdon was the leading French portrait sculptor of his era. He later portrayed Washington and Jefferson, and Franklin helped choose him for the Washington statue.

For More Reading from the Web

• Read the Met's note on Houdon's Franklin, from the sly persona to the plain Quaker style suit. Benjamin Franklin by Houdon - The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Follow Houdon's trip to Mount Vernon, part of the commission that Jefferson and Franklin arranged. Jean-Antoine Houdon - George Washington's Mount Vernon