Ben Johnson Collection

Cover Design to Volpone by Ben Jonson, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Cover Design to Volpone by Ben Jonson, 1898. Cover of an edition of Ben Jonsons comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Volpone, Los Angeles, 1939. Creator: Unknown
Volpone, Los Angeles, 1939. Mayan Theatre - "Volpone" by Ben Jonson'. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S

Initial Letter M for Volpone, 1898 (litho)
DGC288120 Initial Letter M for Volpone, 1898 (litho) by Beardsley, Aubrey (1872-98); Private Collection; (add.info.: Aubrey Vincent Beardsley (1872 - 1898) was an English illustrator and author

Frontispiece to Volpone by Ben Jonson, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Frontispiece to Volpone by Ben Jonson, 1898. Volpone, a greedy and rich childless Venetian, rubs his hands in front of his riches

Initial Letter V (Satyr) to Volpone, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Initial Letter V (Satyr) to Volpone, 1898. Illustration for an edition of Ben Jonsons eponymous comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Initial Letters (Vulture) to Volpone, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Initial Letters (Vulture) to Volpone, 1898. Illustration for an edition of Ben Jonsons eponymous comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Initial Letter V (Column) to Volpone, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Initial Letter V (Column) to Volpone, 1898. Illustration for an edition of Ben Jonsons eponymous comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Initial Letter M (Venus) to Volpone, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Initial Letter M (Venus) to Volpone, 1898. Illustration for an edition of Ben Johnsons eponymous comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Initial Letter V (Elephant) to Volpone, 1898. Creator: Aubrey Beardsley
Initial Letter V (Elephant) to Volpone, 1898. Illustration for an edition of Ben Jonsons eponymous comedy play, published by Leonard Smithers

Entrance into Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey, London (coloured engraving)
603184 Entrance into Poets Corner, Westminster Abbey, London (coloured engraving) by Pugin, Augustus Charles (1762-1832); Private Collection; (add.info.: Entrance into Poets Corner)

Childs Banking House in Temple Bar (engraving)
604696 Childs Banking House in Temple Bar (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Page from the Illustrated London News (published on 19 January 1878)

Ben Johnson (engraving)
964880 Ben Johnson (engraving) by English School, (18th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ben Johnson. English playwright, poet, and literary critic (circa 11 June 1572 - 6 August 1637)

Ben and his host had many a long talk together, discussing men and books
3949290 Ben and his host had many a long talk together, discussing men and books, from English Literature pub.by T C & EC Jack, c.1920 (colour litho) by Skelton, J. R

The Grecian Coffee House, Devereux Court, Strand, featuring a bust of Ben Johnson (coloured engraving)
584999 The Grecian Coffee House, Devereux Court, Strand, featuring a bust of Ben Johnson (coloured engraving) by English School

St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Capt. Bobadil, (Mr. Charles Dickens), 1845. London stage production starring amateur actors in Ben Jonsons " Every Man in his Humour"

St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Brainworm, (Mr. Mark Lemon), 1845. Creator: Unknown
St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Brainworm, (Mr. Mark Lemon), 1845. London production by Charles Dickens, an...amateur performance of Ben Jonsons " Every Man in his Humour"

St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Kitely (Mr. Foster), 1845. Creator: Unknown
St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Kitely (Mr. Foster), 1845. London stage production starring amateur actors in two plays: Ben Jonsons " Every Man in his Humour"

St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Master Matthew (Mr. Leech), 1845. London stage production starring amateur actors in two plays: Ben Jonsons " Every Man in his Humour"

St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Knowell, (Mr. H. Mayhew), 1845. Creator: Unknown
St. Jamess Theatre - The Amateurs - Knowell, (Mr. H. Mayhew), 1845. London production by Charles Dickens, an amateur performance of Ben Jonsons " Every Man in his Humour"

Inigo Jones, (1573-1652), 1830. Creator: Unknown
Inigo Jones, (1573-1652), 1830. Inigo Jones (1573-1652) English architect who employed Vitruvian rules of proportion and symmetry to his buildings which include the Banqueting House at Whitehall

B. Jonson, (c1572-1637), 1830. Creator: Unknown
B. Jonson, (c1572-1637), 1830. Benjamin Jonson (c1572-1637) English playwright and poet educated at Westminster School and the University of Cambridge who popularised the comedy of humours

Ben Johnson, 1785. Creator: Unknown
Ben Johnson, 1785. Ben. Johnson (1572-1637), English actor, playwright, dramatist, lyric poet, and literary critic of the Jacobean era

Ben Jonson, (c1878). Creator: Unknown
Ben Jonson, (c1878). English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor Jonson (c1572-1637) is best known for his plays Volpone and The Alchemist, and for his lyric poems

Introduction of Randolph to Ben Jonson at the Devil Tavern, (1897). Creator: Unknown
Introduction of Randolph to Ben Jonson at the Devil Tavern, (1897). 19th century depiction of poet Thomas Randolph (1605-1635) meeting playwright

Design for Costume in Ben Jonsons The Devil is an Ass, c1927. Artist: Claud Lovat Fraser
Design for Costume in Ben Jonsons The Devil is an Ass, c1927. The Devil Is an Ass is a Jacobean comedy by Ben Jonson, first performed in 1616 and first published in 1631

Ben Jonson, English dramatist, poet and actor, (1785). Artist: Goldar
Ben Jonson, English dramatist, poet and actor, (1785). Jonson (c1572-1637) is best known for his plays Volpone and The Alchemist, and for his lyric poems. (Colorised black and white print)

Title page of the works of Ben Jonson, 1616 (1893). An illustration from A Short History of the English People, by John Richard Green, illustrated edition, Volume II, Macmillan and Co, London

Mr Woodward in the character of Bobadil, 1776. Artist: J Reading
Mr Woodward in the character of Bobadil, 1776. Possibly a portrait of British actor Henry Woodward (1717-1777). Captain Bobadil is a braggadocio in Ben Johnsons Every Man in his Humour, (1598)

Benjamin Jonson, English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor, (1834). Artist: E Scriven
Benjamin Jonson, English Renaissance dramatist, poet and actor, (1834). Jonson (c1572-1637) is best known for his plays Volpone and The Alchemist, and for his lyric poems

The Masque of Queens... 2 February 1609.Artist: Ben Johnson
The Masque of Queens... 2 February 1609. Ben Johnsons The Masque of Queens, celebrated from the House of Fame by the most absolute in all state and titles, Anne, Queene of Great Britayne, etc

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Ben Johnson, the renowned playwright and poet of the Elizabethan era, is immortalized in various artistic forms. In Aubrey Beardsley's lithograph, "Initial Letter M for Volpone, " we catch a glimpse of Johnson's genius as his play comes to life on stage. The cover design and frontispiece to "Volpone" further showcase Beardsley's intricate illustrations that capture the essence of Johnson's work. Beardsley's initial letters (Satyr) and (Vulture) add a touch of whimsy and darkness to "Volpone, " reflecting the complex themes explored by Johnson. The initial letter V (Column) stands tall, symbolizing the strength and power of Johnson's words. Meanwhile, the initial letter M (Venus) embodies beauty and love, elements often present in his plays. In another illustration by Beardsley titled "Initial Letter V (Elephant), " we witness an amalgamation of gracefulness and strength—a fitting representation himself. His literary prowess was unmatched, just like an elephant towering over its surroundings. Beyond these visual tributes lies a deeper understanding of Johnson as a person. Through engravings such as "Entrance into Poets Corner" at Westminster Abbey or "Childs Banking House in Temple Bar, " we gain insight into his social circles and daily life. However, it is through conversations with his host that we truly glimpse into Ben Johnson's character. Their discussions about men and books reveal his intellectual curiosity and passion for knowledge—an insatiable thirst that fueled his writing. Ben Jonson remains an influential figure whose works continue to captivate audiences centuries later. From Beardsley’s striking illustrations to glimpses into his personal life, each piece adds another layer to our understanding of this remarkable playwright who left an indelible mark on English literature.