---
title: Portrait of Benjamin Franklin
author: David Martin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19443/portrait-of-benjamin-franklin/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2025-02-19
---

# Portrait of Benjamin Franklin

_Authored by David Martin_

## Image File

[![Portrait of Benjamin Franklin](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19443.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/19443.jpg)

## Image Caption

A c. 1767 oil-on-canvas portrait by David Martin of [Benjamin Franklin](https://www.worldhistory.org/Benjamin_Franklin/) (1706-90). This portrait depicts Franklin as a scholarly figure of [the Enlightenment](https://www.worldhistory.org/The_Enlightenment/) with a bust of [Isaac Newton](https://www.worldhistory.org/Isaac_Newton/) gazing at him. The portrait was commissioned by Robert [Alexander](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Alexander/) of William Alexander & Sons, a prominent Scottish family business based in Edinburgh during the 18th century. The portrait shows Franklin holding one of Alexander’s deeds. The painting has been called the 'thumb portrait' due to Franklin's pose.

Green Room of the White House, Washington, D.C.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Martin, D. (2024, September 25). Portrait of Benjamin Franklin. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19443/portrait-of-benjamin-franklin/>
### Chicago
Martin, David. "Portrait of Benjamin Franklin." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 25, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19443/portrait-of-benjamin-franklin/>.
### MLA
Martin, David. "Portrait of Benjamin Franklin." *World History Encyclopedia*, 25 Sep 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/19443/portrait-of-benjamin-franklin/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_Franklin_1767.jpg) by [**David Martin**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Benjamin_Franklin_1767.jpg). Submitted by [Harrison W. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/harrisonwmark/ "User Page: Harrison W. Mark"), published on 25 September 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.