486 - J. HOUBRAKEN (*1698) after OLIVER (*1556), Portrait of Ben Jonson, 1738, Copper engraving

J. HOUBRAKEN (*1698) after OLIVER (*1556), Portrait of Ben Jonson, 1738, Copper engraving Jacobus Houbraken (1698 Dordrecht - 1780 Amsterdam) after Isaac Oliver (around 1556 Rouen - 1617 London): Portrait of the English poet Ben Jonson (1572-1637) in a laurel oval with a young satyr, 1738, Copper engraving Technique: Copper engraving and Etching on Paper Inscription: At the lower part signed in the printing plate: "J. Houbraken sculpsit | I. Oliver pinx.". Upper middle inscribed in the printing plate: "BEN. JONSON.". Lower middle further inscription: "In the Collection of Dr. Mead.". Date: 1738 Description: This allegorically framed copper engraving portrait shows the English playwright and poet Ben Jonson in half-profile, looking directly at the viewer, framed in a richly decorated oval with laurel and roses. Below him is a young satyr with a jester's sceptre, surrounded by books, a mask and scrolls - symbols of poetry, satire and the art of theatre. The depiction after Isaac Oliver honours Jonson as one of the central figures of 17th century English literature. Keywords: Ben Jonson; Poet portrait; English literature; Theatre; Satire; Copper engraving; 1738; Baroque framing; Fool's sceptre; Isaac Oliver; Books; Mask; Laurel; Rose ornament; English Renaissance; Poet Laureate; Satyr; Dramatist; Allegory of poetry; Bust portrait; 18th century; Baroque; Portraits; United Kingdom; Size: Paper: 43,2 cm x 27,3 cm (17 x 10,7 in), Plate: 36,4 cm x 23,1 cm (14,3 x 9,1 in), Depiction: 35,8 cm x 22,3 cm (14,1 x 8,8 in) Condition: Good condition. The sheet is slightly discoloured due to its age, particularly in the margins, and minimally foxed. Small pinhole in the centre of the left margin, corners slightly bumped in places, upper margin with horizontal and two vertical scratch lines, outside the image. Sheet slightly curved upwards horizontally in the centre. Graphic in good condition, with clear lines, well-preserved printing ink and fine details.