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Gibbons, Grinling
Gibbons, Grinling (1648–1721). Anglo-Dutch woodcarver and sculptor, born in Rotterdam, the son of English parents who had business interests there (his father was a draper). He settled in England c.1667 and was ‘discovered’ by John Evelyn (Diary, 18 Jan. 1671). Evelyn introduced him to King Charles II and to Sir Christopher Wren, who employed him on decorations at Hampton Court and St Paul's Cathedral. In 1693 he was appointed royal master carver. Gibbons was unsurpassed in his day for naturalistic decorative carving of fruits, flowers, and shells, strung together in garlands and festoons, with small animals, cherubs' heads, etc. Because of his fame an enormous amount of work has been attributed to him, but he lived in a great age of English craftsmanship and much of the carving that is connected with his name was done by artists influenced by his style. Apart from his work for Wren, his documented commissions include outstanding ensembles at Burghley House, Lincolnshire, and Petworth House, Sussex. His virtuosity in wood was not equalled in marble or bronze, and George Vertue said of him: ‘He was a most excellent carver in wood, he was neither well skill'd or practized in Marble or Brass for which works he employd the best artists he coud procure.’ In about 1684 he took as partner Artus III Quellin, who is thought to have been mainly responsible for some of the figure sculpture for which Gibbons was officially credited.
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IAN CHILVERS. "Gibbons, Grinling." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. IAN CHILVERS. "Gibbons, Grinling." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-GibbonsGrinling.html IAN CHILVERS. "Gibbons, Grinling." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Art and Artists. 2003. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O3-GibbonsGrinling.html |
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Gibbons, Grinling
Gibbons, Grinling (1648–1721). Woodcarver and sculptor. Born in Rotterdam and probably trained in Holland, he was in England by 1668. Gibbons's decoration appears in Windsor castle and Hampton Court and also in St Paul's cathedral on the choir‐stalls and organ screen. One of the most skilful woodcarvers ever, his garlands of fruit, flowers, small animals, and cherubs led Horace Walpole to say, ‘There is no instance of a man before Gibbons who gave to wood the loose and airy lightness of flowers.’
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Cite this article
JOHN CANNON. "Gibbons, Grinling." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN CANNON. "Gibbons, Grinling." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-GibbonsGrinling.html JOHN CANNON. "Gibbons, Grinling." A Dictionary of British History. 2004. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O43-GibbonsGrinling.html |
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