Mason Chamberlin facts for kids

Mason Chamberlin (1727–1787) was an English artist. He was known for painting portraits of people. He was also one of the first members of the Royal Academy when it started in 1768. You might know him best for his famous painting of Benjamin Franklin.

Mason Chamberlin, a founding member of the Royal Academy.

Mason Chamberlin's Life

Mason Chamberlin learned to paint from an artist named Francis Hayman. In 1768, he helped start the Royal Academy. This was a very important art group in England. He showed many of his paintings there, about 50 in total. He exhibited his work from 1769 to 1786. All of these paintings were portraits of people. Some of his famous subjects included Prince Edward and Princess Augusta in 1771. He also painted Catharine Macaulay in 1774. He showed his art at other places too, like the Society of Artists.

The Famous Franklin Portrait

Chamberlin’s portrait of Benjamin Franklin (1762).

Mason Chamberlin is probably most famous for his portrait of Benjamin Franklin. A wealthy friend of Franklin's, Colonel Philip Ludwell III, asked Chamberlin to paint it. The painting was made in 1762. It shows Franklin sitting in his study. Outside the window, you can see lightning striking. There is also a lightning rod on his house. Franklin is looking at some lightning bells, which he invented. These bells would ring when lightning hit the rod. This allowed Franklin to use the electricity for his science experiments.

Later, in 1762 or early 1763, a popular print was made from this painting. An engraver named Edward Fisher created it. Franklin's son, William, ordered 100 copies of this print. He wanted to sell them in America. Benjamin Franklin himself gave away 18 copies to his friends. Franklin really liked this print. He thought it looked very much like him.

The original painting is now owned by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Franklin's son, William, also asked for a copy of the painting. He wanted it as a gift from his father for his new home. This copy was sent to America, but it has since been lost or destroyed.

Later Years

Mason Chamberlin passed away on January 20, 1787. He was living in Holborn at the time. His son, also named Mason, became an artist too. He painted many landscapes and showed them in London. He exhibited 68 landscapes between 1780 and 1827. Most of these were shown at the Royal Academy.