Ben Jonson 1711

Curator: Here we have George Vertue’s portrait of Ben Jonson. It's an engraving, and quite a striking one at that. Editor: It's melancholy, isn't it? Or is it stoic? Look at the etched lines around the mouth—that's not just aging, it's character. Curator: Vertue, born in 1684, was deeply involved in the antiquarian circles of his time. Engravings like these served a crucial function in disseminating images and knowledge. The materiality matters. Editor: Yes, the craft is really beautiful. Think about the engraver's hand, translating flesh and bone into lines. It's a fascinating alchemy. Curator: Precisely. Consider also the social context: portraiture was increasingly democratized through printmaking, making figures like Jonson accessible to a wider public. Editor: Makes you wonder what Ben would make of it, immortalized this way, his expression forever caught in a moment. Still, it's a powerful portrait, I think, capturing something essential about the man. Curator: Indeed, Vertue's skill and the accessibility of print create a lasting testament to Jonson’s enduring influence.