“Stop and admire this bronze relief of Benjamin Franklin. It's a small but powerful portrait, capturing the statesman's enduring image with remarkable detail and a sense of timeless dignity.”
This small bronze relief presents a profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin, capturing him in a moment of quiet dignity. Though only a few inches high, the work conveys a sense of his intellectual stature through the careful modeling of his features. His hair, often depicted in paintings as wild and unkempt, is here neatly tied back, emphasizing the thoughtful expression on his face. The sculptor, William Henry Brown, created this piece in 1852, long after Franklin's death, suggesting a continued fascination with the statesman's enduring legacy. The choice of bronze lends a timeless quality to the image, reflecting Franklin's lasting impact on American history. This work offers a tangible connection to the venerated figure, inviting contemplation of his contributions.
- Artist
- William Henry Brown
- Date
- 1852
- Medium
- Bronze
- Location
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Dimensions
- 9 3/8 x 8 1/2 x 1 3/4 in. (23.8 x 21.6 x 4.4 cm)
- Collection
- The American Wing
- Culture
- American
- Credit line
- Morris K. Jesup Fund, 2004
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The precise rendering of Franklin's spectacles, perched on his nose.
The subtle texture of his hair, pulled back from his forehead.
The way the light catches the high points of his forehead and chin.
The crisp folds of his cravat, suggesting a formal attire.
1 more detail is waiting.
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William Henry Brown
1815–1875William Henry Brown, known for his silhouette portraits and early photographic experiments, captured the likenesses of figures like John Quincy Adams.
Further Works by Brown
Silhouette of a Young Man Before an Open Window, Facing Right
1830 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Adaline Peters Brown
1843 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Portrait of a Woman before a Window
1845 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ada Brown
1847 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Benjamin Daniel Greene
1848 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Choosing of the Arrow
1849 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Filatrice
1850 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Indian Figure in Profile
1851 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
More works to explore
Beyond Brown: works from the same years.
Same era · 1830s–1860s
The Cottage by the Roadside, Stormy Sky
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The Backgammon Players
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Wordsworth Manor
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Joséphine-Éléonore-Marie-Pauline de Galard de Brassac de Béarn (1825–1860), Princesse de Broglie
Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres · 1853 · Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Olive Trees
Vincent van Gogh · 1853 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Portrait of a Woman, Called Héloïse Abélard
Gustave Courbet · 1850 · The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Woman Feeding Chickens
Jean-François Millet · 1850 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Arab Horseman Attacked by a Lion
Eugène Delacroix · 1849 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Young Spartan Girls Challenging Boys
Edgar Degas · 1860 · Art Institute of Chicago
Same era · 1830s–1860s
An Arab Warrior
Mariano Fortuny Marsal · 1862 · Hispanic Society of America
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Snow Storm: Steam-Boat off a Harbour's Mouth
J. M. W. Turner · 1842 · National Gallery
Same era · 1830s–1860s
Alfred Sisley
Pierre-Auguste Renoir · 1864 · Foundation E.G. Bührle Collection
