Bust of Ben Franklin
The Carter Library and Museum’s bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin is a reproduction of an original by famous French sculptor Jean-Antoine Houdon (1741-1828). The White House bust is considered one of the most important art objects in its collection and was made between 1778- and 1828. Houdon modeled the bust while Franklin lived in Paris as the Continental Congress ambassador to France. A French observer of the day noted that all of Paris was flocking to Houdon’s studio to view his rendering of America’s charming ambassador.

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