Caius Gabriel Cibber

Caius Gabriel Cibber , 1630-1700, Danish-English sculptor. Cibber was appointed carver to the king's closet for his services to William III of England. He worked for a time for Sir Christopher Wren. Cibber is best known for his statues Melancholy and Raving Madness, both in London. He also executed sculptures (destroyed) for the Royal Exchange and other works now at Chatsworth.

Cibber, Caius Gabriel (1630–1700). English sculptor of Danish birth. He arrived in England shortly before the Restoration in 1660, probably via Amsterdam, and worked for John Stone, son of Nicholas Stone. When Stone died in 1667, Cibber set up on his own. His first important work was the large relief of Charles II Succouring the City of London (1674) on the base of the Monument erected in memory of the Great Fire of 1666. Other works in London included the dramatic figures of Raving and Melancholy Madness (c.1675) for the gate of old Bedlam Hospital (now in the Bethlem Royal Hospital Mus., Beckenham). Much of his later career was taken up with decorative sculpture, notably for Sir Christopher Wren at Hampton Court and St Paul's Cathedral. With the exception of the figures of Raving and Melancholy Madness, which are powerful and original pieces, and the dignified tomb of Thomas Sackville at Withyham, Sussex (1677), Cibber's work is usually competent but uninspired; it is of interest, however, in reflecting Baroque influence (still unusual in England at this time) from Italy (where Cibber is said to have studied early in his career) and also from the Netherlands. He was the father of Colley Cibber, the actor-manager and dramatist.