Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Medal
From the early 1870s onward Augustus Saint-Gaudens’s younger brother Louis, who preferred to spell his last name "St. Gaudens," was a frequent contributor to the Saint-Gaudens studio enterprise. From time to time Augustus passed along to Louis commissions including this medal to commemorate the bicentennial of Benjamin Franklin’s birth. The commission, brought about by an Act of Congress of April 27, 1904, was originally awarded to Augustus, but he insisted Louis sign the work as his own.
In 1905, through the auspices of Metropolitan trustee Daniel Chester French, Saint-Gaudens received a plaster copy of Jean Antoine Houdon’s marble bust of Benjamin Franklin (1788; 72.6), which had been given to the Museum in 1872. This well-known portrait was the reference point for the bust-length profile on the medal’s obverse. The reverse depicts a classically garbed figure of History sitting upon her throne holding a shield with a Latin inscription that translates as: "He snatched from the heavens the bolt and from the tyrant the scepter." The three allegorical figures at the base of the throne represent (from left to right) Franklin’s varied contributions to Literature, Science, and Philosophy.
Medals were struck by Tiffany & Co. in early 1906 in an edition of 151: 1 gold, which was presented to the Republic of France, and 150 bronzes, 100 of which, including this one, were distributed by President Theodore Roosevelt.
In 1905, through the auspices of Metropolitan trustee Daniel Chester French, Saint-Gaudens received a plaster copy of Jean Antoine Houdon’s marble bust of Benjamin Franklin (1788; 72.6), which had been given to the Museum in 1872. This well-known portrait was the reference point for the bust-length profile on the medal’s obverse. The reverse depicts a classically garbed figure of History sitting upon her throne holding a shield with a Latin inscription that translates as: "He snatched from the heavens the bolt and from the tyrant the scepter." The three allegorical figures at the base of the throne represent (from left to right) Franklin’s varied contributions to Literature, Science, and Philosophy.
Medals were struck by Tiffany & Co. in early 1906 in an edition of 151: 1 gold, which was presented to the Republic of France, and 150 bronzes, 100 of which, including this one, were distributed by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Artwork Details
- Title: Benjamin Franklin Commemorative Medal
- Artist: Louis St. Gaudens (1854–1913)
- Date: 1906
- Culture: American
- Medium: Bronze
- Dimensions: Diam. 4 in. (10.2 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of President Theodore Roosevelt, 1906
- Object Number: 06.1192
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Augustus Saint-Gaudens
1905–6
Multiple artists/makers
1905
Louis St. Gaudens
1889–90
Louis St. Gaudens
Roman Bronze Works
ca. 1882, cast 1914
Louis C. Tiffany
Tiffany Studios
1904–15
Related Content
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.