"Benjamin Franklin with a Loaf of Bread" Engine Panel Painting

Description (Brief)
In the nineteenth century, volunteer fire companies often commissioned paintings to decorate their hand-pumped fire engines for parades, competitions, and community events. Sometimes framed with elaborate carvings, they adorned the tall air chamber located at the middle or rear of a pumper. The paintings would often feature patriotic, heroic, or allegorical images to associate the volunteer companies with these lofty ideals.
This fire engine panel came from the Franklin Engine Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that was active from 1792. The painting “Franklin with Loaf of Bread” is attributed to David Rent Etter and dates to around 1830. The painting depicts the young Benjamin Franklin’s arrival in Philadelphia in 1723. As recounted in his autobiography, he mistakenly bought more bread than he could eat and gave the extra loaves to a poor woman and child. Benjamin Franklin was well known for organizing the first volunteer fire company in Philadelphia, and his image and his name were popular among the city’s fire companies. By invoking Franklin, volunteer firemen linked themselves to the progenitor of their trade, as well as someone who played a key role in the Revolution and securing America’s freedom. This painting and its companion piece (object 2005.0233.0307) would have adorned either side of the company’s engine.
Location
Currently not on view
Object Name
painting, engine panel
Date made
ca 1830
depicted
Franklin, Benjamin
artist attribution
Etter, David Rent
Physical Description
wood (overall material)
oil paint (image material)
Measurements
overall: 25 in x 13 3/4 in; 63.5 cm x 34.925 cm
ID Number
2005.0233.0018
accession number
2005.0233
catalog number
2005.0233.0018
subject
Work
Art
Cultures & Communities
Firefighting Collection
Engine Panel Paintings
See more items in
Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
Engine Panel Paintings
Firefighting Collection
Data Source
National Museum of American History, Kenneth E. Behring Center
Credit Line
Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
listed
McCosker, M.J.. The Historical Collection of the Insurance Company of North America
Additional Media

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