Untitled 1777

Jean-Baptiste Nini made this terracotta roundel, now at the Metropolitan Museum, sometime in the late 18th century. It depicts Benjamin Franklin, an American icon, during his time as a diplomat in France. The image operates on several levels. Visually, it presents Franklin in profile, a format echoing ancient Roman portraiture, suggesting wisdom and statesmanship. The inscription "B. Franklin Americain" reinforces his identity as a representative of the New World. But the choice of terracotta, a humble material, contrasts with the grandeur of marble busts often reserved for elites, subtly democratizing his image. France at the time was fertile ground for Enlightenment ideals, and Franklin became a symbol of American ingenuity and republican values. Nini, as an artist working within this cultural milieu, participates in shaping Franklin's image and solidifying his status as a transatlantic hero. To understand the medal better, historians consult period documents, letters, and even fashion trends. Art history is about uncovering the social and institutional context that gives meaning to an artwork like this.