| Benjamin Franklin in
a Mauve Jacket
Benjamin Franklin (1706-90) was sent as
a deputy of Pennsylvania to France in order to seek her assistance
in the struggle against Britain. Paris received him with enthusiasm
and, in 1783, he signed the peace treaty which recognised the independence
of the United States of America. His distinctive appearance made
Franklin a popular model for many artists of the time.
In 1785, Jean-Baptiste Weyler received
approval for a project to create a 'pantheon iconographique'. This
was meant to display the portraits of famous men both of French
and foreign origin, painted in the enamel technique in order to
ensure them in a place in posterity. Benjamin Franklin was among
the celebrities selected as 'sitters' for this enterprise.
Benjamin Franklin was certainly the most
popular celebrity of the pantheon. At least five enamel versions
and two ivory versions are recorded. Considering this unusually
high number, it may be assumed that Weyler produced these enamels
in a semi-industrial way in order to satisfy the demand of his contemporary
collectors.
In this enamel portrait, painted between
1785 and 1790, Benjamin Franklin is depicted facing right, with
swept flowing grey hair, wearing a mauve jacket with gold trim,
set against a grey-green background. The flowing hair and impressive
features of his sitter gave Weyler the opportunity to display his
light, soft and free brushstroke which contrasted favourably with
the dry stipple technique used by most of his French contemporaries.
Jean Baptiste Weyler (1747-91)
Jean-Baptiste Weyler was born in Strasburg
and moved to Paris, where he was a pupil of J M Vien from 1763.
He painted miniatures on ivory and enamel as well as pastels. He
became a member of the Académie Royale de Peinture in 1779
and exhibited at the Salon from 1775 until his early death in 1791.
He is considered by some to be the best
French enamel painter of his time.
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