Description:
In 1767, shortly before Franklin became involved in charting the Gulf Stream, Scottish artist David Martin painted his portrait. Engraver Edward Savage saw the portrait while in London, and made an engraving of it which he published in 1793. Many engravings and mezzotints based on Martin’s oil portrait were published, including this later Boston printing of Savage’s plate. Mezzotint engraving of Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) by Edward Savage (1761-1817), based on a portrait by David Martin (1737-1798), a Scottish portraitist. The original portrait, painted in 1767 while Franklin was in London as a representative of the colonists, was commissioned and paid for by Robert Alexander of Edinburgh, an admirer of Franklin. Franklin was so pleased with the portrait that he ordered a replica; four replicas and four copies are currently known. The print by Savage was based on the original owned by Benjamin West (1738-1820), President of the Royal Academy, which was given to the White House in 1962. Born in Princeton, Massachusetts, Savage went to London In 1791 where he is said to have studied under Benjamin West and learned to engrave in stipple and mezzotint; he returned to America in 1794 and moved to Philadelphia in 1795. Savage first published the print in Sept 17, 1793, at No. 50 Halton Garden, London. This Boston print, printed by McKenzie, is inscribed: "Benjamin Franklin L.L.D., F.R.S./ D. Martin, pinx/ E. Savage sculpt/ Boston, Published and Sold by Abel Bowen, Engraver, No. 2 Congress Square." Franklin is seated at a table, facing 3/4 left, right thumb to chin, reading a document in his left hand. There are more documents and books on cloth-covered table, and a bust of Isaac Newton on left. Benjamin Franklin is considered to be one of the greatest of all of founding fathers. A highly intelligent man, over his lifetime he was an able scientist, a writer, a printer, and a publisher. He was one of the most successful diplomats that the United States ever had. During the Revolutionary War, he acted as Minister to France, successfully gaining French support for the American cause. He was also the only person who signed all four of the key documents in American history: The Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Alliance with France, the Treaty of Peace with Great Britain, and the Constitution of the United States.
Label Text:
In 1767, shortly before Franklin became involved in charting the Gulf Stream, Scottish artist David Martin painted his portrait. Engraver Edward Savage saw the portrait while in London, and made an engraving of it which he published in 1793. Many engravings and mezzotints based on Martin’s oil portrait were published, including this later Boston printing of Savage’s plate.
Link to share this object record:
https://museums.fivecolleges.edu/detail.php?t=objects&type=ext&id_number=HD+85.062 |
