Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Benjamin Franklin (Seated), Presiding at a Meeting of the Society's Committee of Polite Arts, 3rd February 1759

© the artist's estate / Bridgeman Images. Image credit: Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

How you can use this image

This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).

Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.

The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.

Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

This painting commemorates Benjamin Franklin's association with the Society, the 200th anniversary, on 1 September 1956, of his election to membership and the celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth, on 11 January 1956. The designer, Miss Anna Zinkeisen, reconstructed a meeting held on 3 February 1759 of the committee responsible for fine art competitions: at this meeting selected candidates were interviewed for confirmation of their awards. The minutes of the meeting give a list of those who were present, and from contemporary portraits Zinkeisen was able to select those shown: Judges: Benjamin Franklin (seated), William Chambers (standing behind chair), Edward Hooper and James 'Athenian' Stuart (looking at figure drawn by Richard Cosway).

Royal Society of Arts

London

Title

Benjamin Franklin (Seated), Presiding at a Meeting of the Society's Committee of Polite Arts, 3rd February 1759

Date

c.1959

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 44 x W 55 cm

Accession number

RSA030

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

BENJAMIN FRANKLYN (Seated) PRESIDING AT A MEETING OF THE SOCIETY’S COMMITTEE OF POLITE ARTS, 3 FEB. 1759 by ANNA ZINKEISEN, R.O.I., R.D.I., 1956

Tags

See a tag that’s incorrect or offensive? Challenge it and notify Art UK.

Help improve Art UK. Tag artworks and verify existing tags by joining the Tagger community.

Royal Society of Arts

8 John Adam Street, London, Greater London WC2N 6EZ England

Not all locations are open to the public. Please contact the gallery or collection for more information
View venue