Benjamin Franklin Relief Panels - Boston, MA - Relief Art Sculptures on Waymarking.com

This is probably one of the most visited and photographed statues in Boston as it is along the famous self-guided "Freedom Trail." Although originally placed at Bulfinch's Courthouse, dedicated Sept. 17, 1856, it was relocated to the newly built city and rededicated on Sept. 18, 1865. The relief plaques were added sometime between 1856-1857. This was the first statue of a public figure erected in the city of Boston, in honor of the sesquincentennial of Franklin's birth.

This eight-foot statue of Franklin is the work of noted American sculptor, Richard Saltonstall Greenough, 1819-1904, who also created the front and back panels. The other two panels are the work of famed American sculptor Thomas Ball (1819-1911), whose best known sculpture is of George Washington on horseback located in the Boston Common. All four panels were cast by the Ames Mfg. Co. of Chicopee, Massachusetts.

The Old City Hall was completed in 1865, an early example of Second Empire style architecture, and was in active use until 1969 when a new, larger facility was built. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1971, and has received a number of architectural preservation awards including, Award for Preservation, Boston Society of Architects (1973), Honor Award, American Institute of Architects (1976), National Preservation Honor Award, National Trust for Historic Preservation (1990)

References:

Smithsonian Art Inventory Catalog
Old City Hall
DCMemorials
Boston Discovery Guide
Wikipedia: Old City Hall (Boston)
Wikipedia: Richard Saltonstall Greenough
Wikipedia: Thomas Ball (artist)
Wikipedia: Benjamin Franklin

---

---

Benjamin Franklin in print shop
front panel by Richard S. Greenough

---

---

Benjamin Franklin with kite shop
rear panel by Richard S. Greenough

---

---

Benjamin Franklin with Declaration of Independence
side panel by Thomas Ball

---

---

Benjamin Franklin at Treaty of Paris
side panel by Thomas Ball

---

Your impression of the sculpture?: Date Sculpture was opened for vewing?: 09/18/1865 Website for sculpture?: [Web Link] Where is this sculpture?: 45 School St. Boston, MA United States 02108 Sculptors Name: Richared S. Greenough, Thomas Ball

Visit Instructions:
1. Provide a tasteful picture of the sculpture, with another point of view from the original(no pictures of GPSr or yourself).

2. Provide your thoughts on the sculpture and your impression of it.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   10/17/2023 stevepre2 visited it 07/10/2019 Sneakin Deacon visited it 09/23/2018 Duodenfer_ visited it 07/13/2018 lesden visited it 04/08/2018 veritas vita visited it 08/27/2017 wb96bobwhite visited it 08/12/2016 ToRo61 visited it 08/05/2016 JASTA 11 visited it 04/21/2016 NorStar visited it 04/05/2015 LadyKarine visited it 11/04/2014 DrBrain visited it 08/22/2014 Amalthee visited it 04/28/2014 Osa2013 visited it 11/22/2013 Weathervane visited it 08/07/2013 tipete visited it 05/08/2013 Chasing Blue Sky visited it 10/06/2012 billkat visited it 04/01/2012 petendot visited it 06/30/2010 Metro2 visited it 06/24/2009 Clan RunningBison visited it 09/12/2005 ggmorton visited it

View all visits/logs