Description
Franklin Bust by Houdon. While minister from the American colonies to France from 1776 to 1785, Benjamin Franklin was a popular celebrity. The rage for his likeness resulted in images ranging from marble busts and paintings to prints and miniatures. This bust was created by Jean-Antoine Houdon, the leading portrait sculptor of the eighteenth century. It is the most powerful and fully realized version of the best-known portrait of Franklin. Houdon’s accomplishment is the more remarkable in that Franklin did not sit for the sculptor–the men did not meet formally until 1783. Presumably Houdon drew upon his experience of seeing Franklin at events such as meetings of the Masonic lodge to which they both belonged. Houdon exhibited a terracotta version of the bust in the French Royal Academy Salon exhibition of 1779. Like other sculptors, Houdon sent works to the Salon to attract orders for reproductions in various materials. Using molds, Houdon could produce copies in plaster and terracotta to which he added distinctive touches. A German prince and Thomas Jefferson purchased plaster versions, and Franklin was given four by Houdon. There are only two examples of Houdon’s Franklin bust in the desirable and costly material of marble. The bust in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dated 1778, remained in the sculptor’s possession until 1785. The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s bust, dated 1779, is in every way the more carefully carved portrait. It was commissioned by an unknown person who had most likely seen the terracotta in the Salon or in Houdon’s studio. The differences between the two marble busts may be due to the sculptor’s exceptional effort to please his patron, and perhaps also to Houdon’s increased familiarity with his subject’s features.
Made of fiberstone. Fiberstone is a mixture of sand and stones cast into the surface using terrazzo-like techniques. The surface is then sandblasted and chemically treated, and then hand painted with an antique acid stain to give the appearance of aged stone. Since it is reinforced with a fiberglass backing, it remains less fragile and lighter alternative to concrete and cast stone. By mastering the art of casting our products in fiberglass we manage to retain all the detail or the original with the added benefits of less weight, greater strength, and product suitability for both indoor and outdoor use. The advantages of fiberstone and fiberglass when compared to concrete, cast stone, and cement are that they are about half the weight, are far less fragile, and much more resistant. Also, Fiberstone sculptures and architectural elements are weather resistant and can be safely displayed both indoor and outdoor in your garden, when coated with your choice of one of our outside grade color finishes.
This item is also available in many other color finishes - if you like other then the pictured finish, please chose from the pull down menu above. To see pictures of our fiberstone finishes please visit our "Fiberstone Finishes FAQ".
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Ships within a 4-6 weeks. This is a made to order item - please allow 4-6 weeks for manufacturing and shipping. We will, of course, contact you as soon as your item is complete and shipped. Please see our feedback, we have almost 100% satisfaction among our customers around the world. We do ship worldwide - If you live outside USA, let us know when you want to place your order and we will calculate the shipping cost to your country.
Since this is a made-to-order item, it is returnable within 7 days of the receipt date for money back guarantee (minus shipping charges and 10% restocking fee), provided it is returned undamaged in original condition and packaging.
