Paper

Student Artwork Guide

Robert E. Lee

Anthony de Francisci

Name Class Date
Anthony de Francisci, Robert E. Lee. Reproduced for reference; rights reserved by the rights holder. See this canvas under a moving light: the drawing, the true colour under the varnish, the bare pigment

The facts

Artist
Anthony de Francisci artsdot.com/en/artists/anthony-de-francisci/
Artist’s dates
1887 – 1964
Movement
Neoclassicism A deliberate return to the calm balance and clear outlines of ancient Greek and Roman art.

Copyright This work is still under copyright. Anthony de Francisci died in 1964; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it remains in force until 2034. The image is shown here for classroom reference; rights remain with the rights holder.

Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci Part 1 · The artwork

In context

Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci

When might this have been painted?

  1. 1880
  2. 1890
  3. 1900
  4. 1910
  5. 1920
  6. 1930
  7. 1940
  8. 1950
  9. 1960

Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 77 at death.

Shaded: the lifetime of Anthony de Francisci (1887–1964) every dated painting, decade by decade

First works: up to 1923 Main working years: 1923–1946 Late works: from 1946

Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them

This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?

Compare with

Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.

More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/

Colours

Measured from the image

    Main colour

    Putty #d7d9cc

    Catalogued palette

    • #D7D9CC
    • #040505
    • #BDBA9C
    • #A4936A

    These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour

    Palette
    Neutrals The dominant colour family in the image.
    Main colour name
    Putty
    Intensity
    Balanced How saturated and varied the colours are, from a single toned-down hue to many bright ones.
    Contrast
    Statement How much the colours differ in lightness and saturation across the picture.
    Harmony
    Strong Color Unity How well the colours work together, from clashing to fully unified.
    Brightness
    Balanced How light or dark the picture reads overall, from deep shadow to bright highlight.
    Saturation
    Muted How pure and strong the colours are, from near-grey to fully vivid.

    Where in the world is this painting looked at?

    • under 1%
    • 1–3%
    • 3–8%
    • 8–20%
    • 20% and over
    This painting alone has too few recorded visitors to map, so the plate reads every work by Anthony de Francisci over the last twelve months — 4 countries in all. Where these figures come from

    The ten leading countries

    1. 1 China 81.0%1,700 visits
    2. 2 United States of America 9.5%200 visits
    3. 3 Italy 4.8%100 visits
    4. 4 Vietnam 4.8%100 visits

    Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.

    The 19 most looked-at works by Anthony de Francisci

    1. 1 Ford Motor Company Medal (obverse), 1928 9.1%200 visits
    2. 2 Benedetto de Francisci, 1920 9.1%200 visits
    3. 3 Self Portrait of Antoninus de Francisci, 1948 9.1%200 visits
    4. 4 James Douglas Award for Achievement in Non ferrous Metallurgy (reverse), 1922 4.5%100 visits
    5. 5 Salvatore Lascari, 1935 4.5%100 visits
    6. 6 Midland Utilities Medal, 1928 4.5%100 visits
    7. 7 Alfred P. Sloan 4.5%100 visits
    8. 8 Teresa, 1920 4.5%100 visits
    9. 9 R.O.T.C. Pin, 1947 4.5%100 visits
    10. 10 William Lawrence Saunders Award for Achievement in Mining (obverse), 1927 4.5%100 visits
    11. 11 Henry Doherty Morrey, 1918 4.5%100 visits
    12. 12 Paul Revere Sesquicentennial Medal (obverse), 1925 4.5%100 visits
    13. 13 Henry C. Turner Medal for Notable Achievement in the Concrete Industry (reverse), 1928 4.5%100 visits
    14. 14 Gilda, the Artist's Daughter 4.5%100 visits
    15. 15 Rosa Emma Cafarelli, 1924 4.5%100 visits
    16. 16 Robert E. Lee this painting 4.5%100 visits
    17. 17 Honeymoon 4.5%100 visits
    18. 18 Theodore Roosevelt Award 4.5%100 visits
    19. 19 Fiat Vita, 1935 4.5%100 visits

    Together these works take 99.3% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 120 works by this artist, of which 19 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 16 of them, with 4.5% of that attention (100 visits). The same counts, month by month

    Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci Part 2 · In context

    Artist and museum

    Artist

    Anthony de Francisci

    Born in Palermo, Italy

    Early Life and Training

    Born: Palermo, Italy (July 13, 1887)

    Died: August 20, 1964

    Anthony de Francisci was an Italian-American sculptor best known for his impactful designs on United States coins and medals. He immigrated to the United States in 1905, becoming a naturalized citizen in 1913. His early years were marked by assisting his father, a marble cutter, providing him with foundational skills. He studied sculpture at Cooper Union in New York City, where he received instruction from prominent coin designers such as James Earle Fraser, Hermon MacNeil, and Adolph A. Weinman. This mentorship proved crucial to his later success in numismatic design. His work reflects a classical style influenced by the sculptors he studied under.

    The Peace Dollar and Numismatic Recognition

    The Competition: In 1921, de Francisci won a competition held by the Commission of Fine Arts to design a new silver dollar.

    Design Inspiration: The portrait on the Peace Dollar is based on his wife, Mary Teresa Cafarelli, though he described it as a "composite" face representing “something of America.” He aimed to convey the nation's intellectual vigor and vitality in the design.

    Immediate Impact: The success of the Peace Dollar significantly elevated de Francisci’s reputation.

    Other Numismatic Works: He also designed the 1920 Maine Centennial commemorative half dollar.

    The Peace Dollar remains his most celebrated achievement, a testament to his ability to blend artistic skill with numismatic principles. The design's immediate impact propelled him to new heights in his career.

    Beyond Coins: Sculpture and Medallic Art

    World War II Service Button: De Francisci designed the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button, commonly known as the "ruptured duck."

    Sesquicentennial Flagpole Reliefs: He created bronze high reliefs for the drum base of the Sesquicentennial flagpole in Union Square, New York City.

    Abraham Lincoln Admiration: De Francisci held a deep admiration for Abraham Lincoln, reflected in several personal works.

    1964/1965 New York World's Fair Medal: He designed the inaugural medal for this significant event.

    De Francisci’s artistic talents extended beyond coin design, encompassing various sculptural and medallic projects that showcased his versatility and skill.

    Legacy and Historical Significance

    Anthony de Francisci’s contributions to American art, particularly his design of the Peace Dollar, have secured his place in history. His ability to blend artistic skill with numismatic principles resulted in a coin that is both aesthetically pleasing and historically significant. De Francisci's work demonstrates the power of sculpture to capture national identity and commemorate important events. He remains an influential figure in American art and numismatics, remembered for his impactful designs and lasting legacy.

    Where to read more

    Find this online

    QR code linking to the download page for Robert E. Lee

    artsdot.com/en/art/download/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/

    Cite this artwork

    MLA
    Francisci, Anthony de. Robert E. Lee. n.d., https://artsdot.com/en/art/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/
    APA
    Francisci, Anthony de (n.d.). Robert E. Lee [Painting]. https://artsdot.com/en/art/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/
    Chicago
    Anthony de Francisci. Robert E. Lee. n.d. https://artsdot.com/en/art/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/
    Harvard
    Francisci, Anthony de (n.d.) Robert E. Lee. Available at: https://artsdot.com/en/art/anthony-de-francisci-robert-e-lee-AQTF3V-en/

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci Part 3 · Artist and museum

    Look closely

    Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci

    Look closely

    Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.

    1. What catches your eye first, and why?
    2. Which colours or shapes create the mood — and what is that mood?
    3. Our catalogue files this work under: portrait, historical figure, sculpture. Do you agree? What would you add, or take away?
    4. Look back at Ford Motor Company Medal (obverse) (1928), earlier in this guide. Name two things it shares with this work, and one that is different.
    5. Neoclassicism: A deliberate return to the calm balance and clear outlines of ancient Greek and Roman art. Where can you see that in this work?

    Your response

    Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.

    Source: ArtsDot.com — accessed Oct. 9, 2026

    Robert E. Lee — Anthony de Francisci Part 4 · Look closely

    Questions & Answers

    In which movement and which era is "Robert E. Lee" by Anthony de Francisci placed?

    "Robert E. Lee" by Anthony de Francisci is placed in the Neoclassicism movement, within the Modern era of its creator.

    What luminance does "Robert E. Lee" by Anthony de Francisci have?

    "Robert E. Lee" by Anthony de Francisci has a gentle luminance luminance. Luminance describes how much light the colors appear to reflect.

    Where does "Robert E. Lee" sit within Anthony de Francisci's body of work?

    "Robert E. Lee" belongs to Anthony de Francisci's Neoclassicism work, whose recorded themes include classical ideals, roman influence, american history, lee's legacy, military authority, solemnity, commemorative portraiture", "numismatic tradition.