Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

Peale, Charles Willson

1772

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin highlights his study of ”useful knowledge.” Franklin is surrounded with books, papers and a bust of Sir Isaac Newton, linking Franklin to a distinguished tradition of natural philosophers. While Franklin’s right hand echoes traditional poses of contemplation, the thumb position was uniquely his own. When reading, he was known to rest his elbow on the table and hold his chin with one thumb to keep his spectacles in focus. The original portrait by Scottish artist David Martin now hangs in the White House. Franklin admired the portrait so much that he ordered a copy from Martin for his own home in Philadelphia. Charles Willson Peale made this additional copy, which was presented to the APS in 1785.

American Philosophical Society. Gift of Charles Willson Peale, 1785.