In this artwork, how is the Production and installation of the History elucidated?
Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers and a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a well-known intellectual, scientist, statesman, author, and diplomat in 18th-century America. Around 100 years after Franklin's birth, Stilson Hutchins, founder of The Washington Post, aimed to make the surrounding area of his newspaper's building a prime example of his contributions and stature to the city. One of his contributions was to erect a statue honoring Franklin in a small lot at 10th Street, D Street, and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, directly across from The Post building. It took several years before the statue came to fruition. After an Act of Congress was approved on July 19, 1888, local government officials were to find a location for the statue. Since Stilson was paying for the statue, officials chose the lot near his newspaper's building.
Ernst Plassmann was a German-American sculptor who designed the statue of Franklin, partially based on earlier works he had made. The sculptor chosen for the piece, Jacques Jouvenal, was also born in Germany and lived in Washington, D.C., from 1855 until his death in 1905. Jouvenal had operated a statuary workshop at 941 D Street NW, the site where The Post building would be located years later, and the current site of the J. Edgar Hoover Building.By the time the statue was finally installed, Hutchins had retired and dedicated the piece to Washington, D.C., as a symbol of good will from U.S. newspaper publishers. The dedication ceremony took place at 10:00 am on January 17, 1889, Franklin's birthday. The unveiling was done by Franklin's great-granddaughter, Mrs. H. W. Emory. In an article covering the event, The Post wrote "[t]he statue was uncovered without ostentation or parade. Mr. Hutchins having declined a great many suggestions to make what he styles a 'fuss' over it."
Jacques Jouvenal The Washington Post Washington, D.C. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin Declaration of Independence Pennsylvania Avenue Founding Fathers Act of Congress Ernst Plassmann NW Stilson Hutchins J. Edgar Hoover Building