1778

To the Genius of Franklin

French, 1761 - 1837

The Latin motto on this print, which means "He snatched lightning from the sky and the scepter from tyrants," was coined by Anne- Robert-Jacques Turgot (1727-1781), a French statesman and economist. It was often quoted about Benjamin Franklin, although he protested that the phrase gave him too much credit. This portrait gives form to the motto: a Zeus-like Franklin turns aside lightning with the help of Minerva, goddess of Wisdom, while directing Mars, god of War, to overthrow Avarice and Tyranny. The seated figure with a starry crown represents the united American colonies. Franklin's features were probably based on Jean-Jacques Caffieri's bust, made the previous year.