Portrait of Benjamin Franklin performing his famous experiment of June 1752 in which he attached a key to a kite and flew it in a thunderstorm in order to prove that lightning was electricity. Almost allegorical in presentation, Franklin is shown seated on clouds with cherub-like figures assisting him on the right in the backgroun, his red cape blowing in the wind against a stormy sky
Description:
Date and title taken from impression at the Philadelphia Museum of Art., Based on the Benjamiin West oil painting now at the Philadelphia Museum of Art., and Embossed letters at lower left corner: Cercle Librairie estampes encircling initials RTN.
"Portrait of Comtesse de Genlis, half-length, head turned to the left, with frilly bonnet and ruff, and coat fastened with belt; after Cheradame."--British Museum online catalogue
Alternative Title:
Comtesse de Genlis
Description:
Title from lettered state. See Harvard Art Museums/Fogg Museum, Object Number: G2368, Artist and printmaker from statements of responsibility on lettered state: Peint par Mme. Chéradame ; gravé par F. Lignon., Proof before letters. For a lettered state with the imprint "Se vend à Paris, chez Bouton, Md. d'Estampes, Boulevard Montmartre, No. 63" and the printer's statement "Imprime par Durand," see British Museum online catalogue, registration no.: 1879,0809.597., Date of publication from the British Museum online catalogue., Window mounted to 51 x 36 cm., Mounted opposite page 516 (leaf numbered '113' in pencil) in volume 3 of an extra-illustrated copy of: Moore, T. Memoirs of the life of the Right Honourable Richard Brinsley Sheridan., and Later ink annotation with the sitter's name "Madame de Genlis" below print, on mounting sheet.
Publisher:
Bouton and [Durand].
Subject (Name):
Genlis, Stéphanie Félicité, comtesse de, 1746-1830,
"In a grassy glade an ape lies as if asleep. His desolate mate sits on her haunches, watching him. They do not wear clothes. Below: '"-- now will canker Sorrow eat my bud, / And chase the native beauty from his cheek," Shakespeare.' ['King John', III. iv.]"--British Museum online catalogue
Description:
Title from British Museum catalogue. and Plate from: Monkey-ana or Men in miniature ... by Thomas Landseer.
Publisher:
Published Decr. 1, 1827 by Moon, Boys & Graves, 6 Pall Mall and Chez Piers Bernard Boulevar des Italiens