This portrait of Benjamin Franklin was painted by David Martin in 1767 in London, England. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Martin was a Scottish painter who later became famous for portraits; this painting of Franklin was one of his early works. Franklin lived in London twice on behalf of the United States and its interests. This portrait was commissioned by Robert Alexander of William Alexander and Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland during one of those stays when Alexander had a property claim being disputed with another man. Both Alexander and the plaintiff agreed to seek Franklin's legal advice and promised to adhere to Franklin's decision. Franklin ruled in favor of Alexander, who commissioned the portrait in gratitude for Franklin's ruling.

This pencil drawing by French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard was completed circa 1778. Fragonard completed the drawing while Benjamin Franklin was serving as a United States envoy in France. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor, and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Franklin figure is seated and wearing Roman-style robes and a laurel wreath, with female figures surrounding him. Male figures, in similar classical attire, fight before him. The sketch was made quickly while Franklin was visiting the Louvre. From the drawing, an etching and aquatint were created by Jean-Honoré Fragonard's sister-in-law Marguerite Gérard. This was the first major acquisition by the White House Fine Arts Committee during the John F. Kennedy administration. Bates Littlehales photographed the drawing in March 1962, also during the Kennedy administration.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by artist Benjamin Wilson was displayed in the Roosevelt Room during the John F. Kennedy administration. Wilson's portrait is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.

This painting, completed by Howard Chandler Christy in 1940, depicts President George Washington presiding over the signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s Independence Hall. Washington served as the Commander in Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. The first president was in office from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797. At the center of the painting, Benjamin Franklin is seen conversing with Alexander Hamilton. Just beyond them, sitting at a table to the right of the canvas, is future president James Madison.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin is by the National Porcelain Factory of Sèvres after the work of sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Franklin was a well-known author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was renowned for his busts of famous politicians of the time. This bust is made of unglazed porcelain. The factory was established in 1738 and became the royal factory in 1759. It remains closely tied to the French state today and is run by the Ministry of Culture.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin is by the National Porcelain Factory of Sèvres after the work of sculptor Jean Antoine Houdon. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was renowned for his busts of famous politicians of the time. This bust is made of unglazed porcelain and rests atop a long, dark, marble column. The factory was established in 1738 and became the royal factory in 1759. It remains closely tied to the French state today and is run by the Ministry of Culture.

This bronze bust of Benjamin Franklin was done by an unknown artist around 1820. Franklin's head and shoulders rest on a tall, doric column. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. In the early to mid 19th century, establishment of a republican government in the U.S. patterned on Greek and Roman principles helped spur a revival of interest in classical forms and ideas in the fine arts.

This pencil drawing by French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard was made while Benjamin Franklin was serving as a United States envoy in France. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor, and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. The Franklin figure is seated and wearing Roman-style robes and a laurel wreath, with female figures surrounding him. Male figures, in similar classical attire, fight before him. The sketch was made quickly while Franklin was visiting the Louvre. From the drawing, an etching and aquatint were created by Jean-Honoré Fragonard's sister-in-law Marguerite Gérard. This was the first major acquisition by the White House Fine Arts Committee during the Kennedy administration.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin by Benjamin Wilson is the earliest of the three portraits of Franklin in the White House Collection. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin commissioned the portrait in 1758 while he was in London to argue for the right to tax the Penn family estate. Until the American Revolution, the painting hung in Franklin's Philadelphia home. However, while Franklin was in France, the home was occupied by British troops and one of them took the portrait when they left. It was returned to the United States via President Theodore Roosevelt by Albert Henry, the fourth Earl Grey in 1906, the bicentennial of Franklin's birth. In addition to being a painter, Wilson was an inventor who worked with electricity, much as Franklin did. This may account for the lightning bolt visible in the background of the portrait.

This portrait of Benjamin Franklin is by the French artist Gabriel Jacques de Saint-Aubin. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Franklin stands center, with almost his full back turned towards the viewer, in front of an easel holding a large folio or book.

This medallion depicting Benjamin Franklin was done by Giovan Battista Nini. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Born in Italy, Nini learned engraving and sculpture and eventually moved to France, where he became known for his terra-cotta medallion portraits like this one of Franklin.

This bust of Benjamin Franklin was done by Jean Antoine Houdon and photographed by Erik Kvalsvik. Franklin was a renowned author, inventor and philosopher who was also one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He also served as the representative of the United States in France during the Revolutionary War. Houdon was a prolific sculptor of notable Americans. Two of his works are in the White House Collection.