The Genius of Franklin (Au Génie de Franklin)

1778

Marguerite Gérard

Artist, French, 1761 - 1837

Media Options

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Artwork overview

  • Medium

    etching printed in brown on laid paper

  • Credit Line

    Rosenwald Collection

  • Dimensions

    image: 47.8 × 37.3 cm (18 13/16 × 14 11/16 in.)
    plate: 55.1 × 42.2 cm (21 11/16 × 16 5/8 in.)
    sheet: 62 × 44.5 cm (24 7/16 × 17 1/2 in.)

  • Accession

    1964.8.867

  • Catalogue Raisonné

    Wildenstein 1956, no. 27, State ii/ii

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

(William Schab, New York); purchased by Lessing J. Rosenwald [1891-1979], 1960; gift to NGA, 1964.

Associated Names

Exhibition History

1978

  • French Printmaking in the Time of Fragonard and Robert, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1978-1979, no cat.

1985

  • Figure Prints from the National Gallery's Collection, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., 1985-1986, no cat.

2023

  • Making her Mark: A History of Women Artists in Europe, 1400-1800, Baltimore Museum of Art; Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto, 2023-2024, no. 147.

Bibliography

1956

  • Wildenstein, Georges. Fragonard acquafortiste. Paris: Les Beaux-Arts, 1956.

1984

  • Carlson, Victor I. and John W. Ittman. Regency to Empire : French Printmaking 1715-1814. Minneapolis, MN, 1984: 78 (attrib. to Gerard, after Fragonard).

Inscriptions

In plate, at lower center: ERIPUIT COELE FULMEN SCEPTRUM QUE TIRANNIS / Au GENIE de FRANKLIN; text printed on fragment from single-sheet advertisement cut and pasted below platemark at center: Eripuit coelo fulmen, sceptrumque tyrannis. / Inspiré par ce vers, qui remplit l'idée & les connoissances profondes de Franklin & de la sagesse dans la révolution du Nouveau Monde, le Peintre l'a représenté tout-à-la-fois opposant d'une main l'Egide de Minerve a la foudre, qu'il a sçu fixer par des Conducteurs, & de l'autre ordonnant a Mars de combattre l'avarice & la tyrannie; tandis que l'Amérique, noblement appuyée sur lui & tenant un faisceau, symbole des Provinces-unies, contemple avec tranquilité ses ennemis terrassés. [Inspired by this verse, which captures the spirit and deep understanding of Franklin and his wisdom in the revolution of the New World, the painter has shown him at once holding Minerva's shield against the lightning, which he had controlled via his conductors, and with the other ordering Mars to battle avarice and tyranny; while America, leaning nobly on him and holding fasces, symbol of the United Provinces, calmy gazes upon her vanquished enemies.]

Wikidata ID

Q65510134

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