Edward Fisher — Mason Chamberlin, after | Mezzotint of Franklin's favorite portrait

Edward Fisher — Mason Chamberlin, after

B. Franklin of Philadelphia L.L.D. F.R.S. [London]: Sold by M. Chamberlin in Stewart Street, Old Artillery Ground, Spittalfields, [1762]

Mezzotint engraving on paper (382 x 283 mm). Trimmed close to plate marks, especially at lower margin, two or three stains. Matted, glazed, and framed (675 x 570 mm).

Franklin's portrait of choice, which he gifted to family and friends.

Though published in competition with a similar mezzotint by James McArdell after a portrait by Benjamin Wilson, the Fisher-Chamberlin mezzotint was "preferred by Franklin," possibly as it fell "more in line with the feeling of men of Franklin's character" (Sellers). Chamberlin and Fisher here highlight Franklin's scientific prowess; he looks toward an arrangement of bells and wires while a lightning bolt strikes outside.

The date is attributed to 1762, the same year as Chamberlin's original and the year in which William Franklin wrote that he would "take 100 of them." Indeed, Franklin himself gifted the mezzotint to many of his friends.

As he wrote to Thomas François Dalibard in 1769, "As I cannot soon again enjoy the Happiness of being personally in your Company, permit my Shadow to pay my Respects to you. 'Tis from a Plate my Son caus'd to be engrav'd some years since."

REFERENCES

Carson 1269; Sellers, Benjamin Franklin in Portraiture, p. 58–59, 220–221; cf. Smithsonian NPG.70.66

PROVENANCE

Bonhams, 12 March 2019, lot 2015 (undesignated consignor)