Live Auction 2273The William F. Reilly Collection
Christie’s roundel
Lot 148

A WHITE MARBLE BUST OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN

AFTER THE MODEL BY JEAN-JACQUES CAFFIERI, LATE 18TH CENTURY/EARLY 19TH CENTURY

Closed14 October 2009

Price Realised

USD 30,000

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A WHITE MARBLE BUST OF BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
AFTER THE MODEL BY JEAN-JACQUES CAFFIERI, LATE 18TH CENTURY/EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Depicted wearing a cravat
19½ in. (49.5 cm.) high, 17 in. (43 cm.) wide, 24½ in. (62 cm.) high overall

The Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Saul P. Steinberg; Sotheby's, New York, 26 May 2000, lot 223.

Specialist note

After Benjamin Franklin's arrival in Paris in 1776, he sat for many portraits, both painted and sculpted. The original marble by Caffieri, modelled in 1777, is one of the most celebrated. It perfectly captures the modest manner of this American completely at home amongst the splendor of Louis XVI's court.