Boston Athenaeum - Benjamin Franklin Bust by Houdon
N 42° 21.488 W 071° 03.716
19T E 330193 N 4691599
This private library and research center is home to a bust of Benjamin Franklin created by French artist Jean-Antoine Houdon.
Waymark Code: WMW44
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 10/22/2006
Views: 159
During his lifetime, Benjamin Franklin was a popular figure in France. Because of this, many prominent artists of the time sought to capture Franklin's likeness in various forms. Among them was
Jean-Antoine Houdon, who created a number of impressive plaster busts of Franklin. Houdon also created busts of other important American figures, including Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.
Today, Houdon's works are displayed in various museums and galleries around the world. One of his Franklin busts is located at the
Boston Athenaeum located on Beacon Street in Boston, just a few steps away from the State House. The bust is normally located on the first floor, inside the function room located just at the top of the stairs near the entrance.
The Franklin bust was created by Houdon in 1778, is made of white plaster, and stands about 3 feet tall. The Athenaeum's Houdon collection also includes a bust of George Washington.
Note: this is a private library reserved for members and their guests, but sometimes they do provide limited access to the first floor gallery for non-members. If you plan on visiting to view the bust and are not a member, you should enter the building quietly, and politely ask if you can view the Houdon bust of Benjamin Franklin. If they are allowing visitors at that time, you'll likely need to sign in, and probably need to leave any bags or other items behind. Photography is not allowed without permission so don't plan on taking any photographs inside the building.
Since photographs inside the building are normally not allowed, visits to this waymark should be submitted with a photograph of you or your GPSr in front of the main door of the building.