Gibbons, GRINLING

Gibbons, GRINLING, sculptor and wood-carver, was born at Rotterdam, 4th April 1648. In 1671 Evelyn found him at Deptford carving on wood Tintoretto's 'Crucifixion'; and on Evelyn's recommendation he was appointed by Charles II. to a place in the Board of Works, and employed in the ornamental carving of the choir of the chapel at Windsor. His works display great taste and delicacy of finish, and his flowers and foliage have almost the lightness of nature. For the choir of St Paul's, London, he executed the foliage and festoons, and those in lime-tree which decorate the side aisles. At Chatsworth, at Burleigh, at Southwick, Hampshire, and other mansions of the English nobility, he executed an immense quantity of carved embellishment; the ceiling of a room at Petworth is regarded as his chef-d'œuvre. He also produced several fine pieces in marble and bronze. Among these are the statue of James II., Whitehall; the base of the statue of Charles I., at Charing Cross; and that of Charles II., at the Royal Exchange. He died in London, August 3, 1721.