Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790, Diplomat and Statesman

1777

Giovanni Battista Nini

Associated Names
Giovanni Battista Nini

Medalist, Italian, 1717 - 1786

The sculpture depicts a profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin in relief on a circular terracotta medallion. Franklin is shown wearing a fur hat, coat, and cravat. The medallion includes inscriptions that read "B. FRANKLIN" and "AMERICAIN". Franklin's features and attire are depicted with high detail, emphasizing his historical significance.

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Artwork overview

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Purchased by Dr. Stephen K. and Janie Woo Scher, Kinnelon, New Jersey; gift 2004 to NGA.

Associated Names

Bibliography

1862

  • Villers, Alfred. Jean-Baptiste Nini ses terres cuites, Blois, 1862: 18-22, 56-57.

1896

  • Storelli, André. Jean-Baptiste Nini. Sa Vie. Son Oeuvre 1717-1786, Tours, 1896: 113-114, repro (cover and frontispiece).

1962

  • Sellers, Charles Coleman. Benjamin Franklin in Portraiture, New Haven, CT, 1962: 343-348.

1979

  • Sculpture from the David Daniels Collection: the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, exh. cat. ed. by Louise Lincoln, Minneapolis, 1979: 86-87, no. 33, repro.

  • Forrer, Leonard. Biographical Dictionary of Medallists: Coin, Gem, and Seal-Engravers, Mint-Masters, &c., Ancient and Modern, with References to Their Works, B.C. 500–A.D. 1900, vol. 4. London: 1979: 268-276, repro.

Inscriptions

around circumference: .B.FRANKLIN..AMERICAIN.; stamped on the truncation: NINI / F 1777; below the truncation: 1777; stamped reverse: [a fleur de lis]

Wikidata ID

Q63861811

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