A terracotta portrait medallion of Benjamin Franklin, Jean-Baptiste Nini (1717-1786) Chaumont Sur Loire

bidding is closed

Description

Jean-Baptiste Nini (1717-1786) Chaumont Sur Loire
diameter 4 3/8 in.; frame square 8 1/4 in.
11.1 cm; 20.9 cm

inscribed · B. FRANKLIN. · AMERICAIN ·, signed and dated with impressed marks NINI / F 1777 / 1777 and a shield surmounted by a crown, centered by an arm holding a scepter and flanked by palm fronds, now in a fabric-lined shadow box and gilt frame.

Catalogue Note

This medallion, which depicts Benjamin Franklin as the Ambassador of the nascent United States of America to the Paris court of Louis XVI, was commissioned by Jacques-Donatien Le Ray from the Italian artist Jean-Baptiste Nini (1717-1786). Another example of this medallion is in the collection of The National Portrait Gallery, London.

No illustration.