National Portrait Gallery - Person

Benjamin Jonson (1573?-1637), Poet and dramatist

Sitter associated with 19 portraits
One of the most famous and successful playwrights and poets of his time, Jonson is particularly known for his comedies, including Every Man in his Humour, Volpone, and The Alchemist. His career spanned the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. He was granted a pension by James I in 1616, and wrote a series of court masques under the patronage of Anne of Denmark, collaborating with the architect and designer Inigo Jones.

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Benjamin Jonson

by Abraham van Blyenberch
oil on canvas, circa 1617
On display in Room 4 at the National Portrait Gallery
NPG 2752

Benjamin Jonson

after Abraham van Blyenberch
oil on panel, probably early 19th century (circa 1617)
NPG 363

Benjamin Jonson

by Robert Vaughan
line engraving, circa 1640
NPG D27953

Benjamin Jonson

by William Elder
line engraving, 1692
NPG D19305

Benjamin Jonson

by George Vertue, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
line engraving, 1711 (circa 1617)
NPG D27954

Benjamin Jonson

by George Vertue, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
line engraving, 1711 (circa 1617)
NPG D36738

Benjamin Jonson

by George Vertue, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
line engraving, 1711 (circa 1617)
NPG D4474

Benjamin Jonson

by George Vertue, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
line engraving, 1711 (circa 1617)
NPG D19205

'Poets and Philosophers of England'

by John Simon
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D41665

'Poets and Philosophers of England'

by John Simon
mezzotint, mid 18th century
NPG D3192

Called Benjamin Jonson

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D27955

Called Benjamin Jonson

by Jacobus Houbraken, published by John & Paul Knapton, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, published 1738
NPG D36739

Called Benjamin Jonson

published by Richard Baldwin, after Isaac Oliver
line engraving, 1753
NPG D27952

Benjamin Jonson

after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
line engraving, possibly late 18th century (circa 1617)
NPG D27951

Benjamin Jonson

published by Robert Sayer, published by John Bennett, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
mezzotint, circa 1774-1785 (circa 1617)
NPG D27950

Benjamin Jonson

published by Robert Sayer, published by John Bennett, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
mezzotint, circa 1774-1785 (circa 1617)
NPG D3191

Benjamin Jonson

by Henry Bone, after Gerrit van Honthorst, after Abraham van Blyenberch
pencil drawing squared in ink for transfer, March 1814 (circa 1617)
NPG D17163