FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Jennifer DeFratis
R.W. Norton Art Gallery
(318) 865-4201, ext. 100
The Norton Explores French Connection of Benjamin Franklin
Shreveport, La. — For nine years Benjamin Franklin, as ambassador to France, coaxed loans, equipment, ships, sailors, and soldiers to help a rag-tag American army defeat the finest military force in the world, and win independence for the new nation.
Meanwhile, he was also writing about wine, chess, gout, even the philosophies of flies—all in French.
On Saturday, September 12, Dr. Dana Kress will read, translate, and discuss some of those writings at R.W. Norton Art Gallery, which displays six works portraying Franklin (see box) among its seven centuries of art. His presentation, "Dangerous Liaisons: Benjamin Franklin in France, 1776-1785," is part of the museum’s "Saturday Speaker Series," and begins at 2 p.m. Admission to the museum, gardens, and program is free.
Franklin’s French writings ring with universal truths, all delivered in the same superb, ironic humor and deft phrasing, honed by his years as a printer, publisher, and author.
"I hope to make you laugh a little bit with Benjamin Franklin," comments Kress, professor of French at Shreveport’s Centenary College of Louisiana.
As founder of the college’s press, Les Éditions Tintamarre, Kress is editing Franklin’s French works for publication. First appearing in 18th-century France, the writings are little known on this side of the Atlantic.
Franklin’s sly wit and style sparkles, even in another language, guests at Kress’ presentation will learn. His writings vary from a guidebook for Europeans traveling to America, to essays on the morals of chess, the divine qualities of wine, and the politeness of American Indians in southern states.
"He considered them more polite than the people who considered them savages," Kress says, chuckling.
Taking his own press to France, the ambassador strapped on his printer’s apron and published many of his own works. One of his more famous creations, Ephémère, or The Ephemera, concerns a conversation of flies of a species that live only twenty-four hours.
"It takes place in a garden," Kress explains. "It’s a discussion between an old fly about seven hours old, and young flies. He gives them the wisdom of the world."
The French quickly embraced the gout-ridden octogenarian as a wise, if quaint, frontier sage in humble clothing. Just as quickly Franklin learned the French ways of diplomacy: first, establish good, informal relations before sitting down to serious business. That meant rounds of receptions, parties, dinners, and dances to cement social friendships.
Word of his bon vivant lifestyle soon reached across the Atlantic. Here, skeptics groused that he was spending America’s money for his own leisure and luxury. He may have enjoyed his years in France, but he also looked after America’s interest, found the resources the nation needed to win a war, and had a little time to write in French.
R.W. Norton Art Gallery: 4747 Cresswell Avenue, Shreveport, LA 71106. Hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends, 1 to 5 p.m. There is no admission charge. No reservations are needed for Saturday Speakers, nor for First Saturday Tours. Other group tours of 10 or more may be scheduled by appointment. For more information about the Saturday Speaker series and other events, see www.rwnaf.org or call (318) 865-4201.
The Face of a Founder
R.W. Norton Art Gallery exhibits six works portraying Benjamin Franklin, including the famous 1778 bust by Jean-Antoine Houdon. Two others are 19th-century works, Benjamin Franklin and the Court of Louis XVI of France, by Baron A.E. Joly, and Declaration of Independence by Robert J. Bruce.
Three miniatures capture his likeness near or during his time in France. They include one by French artist Joseph S. Duplessis (whose portrait of Franklin graces the $100 bill), another by the artist, DeBrea, and a third by an unknown American artist.