Artwork preview

Printed Piece: The Apotheosis of Franklin

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

The image depicts a square piece of fabric with a black and white toile de Jouy-style print. The print features numerous scenes of people in 18th-century attire, including men in tricorn hats and women in long dresses. The scenes are set amidst trees, plants, and animals, including birds, an elephant, and a tiger. Some scenes appear to be from everyday life, while others show people engaging in activities such as hunting. Benjamin Franklin is depicted in several scenes, rising to a semi-divine status in the manner of classical apotheosis, specifically in a scene with an eagle and American flag, and another with a striped flag. The scenes are densely packed and intricately detailed, with many small elements and patterns throughout. The fabric appears to be made of a smooth material, possibly cotton or silk. The title "The Apotheosis of Franklin" is associated with this image, and it is the work of an unknown artist. The overall design is ornate and visually striking, with a clear focus on storytelling through the various scenes depicted.

Artwork details

Date:
ca. 1785
Medium:
Cotton, copperplate printed
Culture:
British
Dimensions:
599 × 486 px
Museum record:
View original
Palette