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Portrait of the sculptor Grinling Gibbons. Photo By Godfrey Kneller –

Top 10 Unknown Facts about Grinling Gibbons

Grinling Gibbons was a well-known Anglo-Dutch sculptor and wood carver born in Rotterdam in 1648. His notable aliases were the 鈥淏ritish Bernini鈥�, after the famous Italian sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

He was born to a reputable family that had enjoyed immense prosperity as merchants in England. Gibbons moved from Rotterdam to England in 1667 where he pursued the carving of ships.

He married his wife, Elizabeth Gibbons, around the same time, with whom he had more than 12 children. By 1671, he had become a well-known and respected carver in the area.

Apart from designing and carving different sculptures, Gibbons also ran a successful sculpture business that specialized in stone, marble, and other sculpture forms.

1. Gibbons Introduced Carving With Limewood To England

Overdoor Limewood Decoration by Grinling Gibbons (British, 1648-1721). Photo By Cleveland Museum of Art –

Gibbons mastered carving and sculpting on all forms of media that were available during the era including marble, bronze, and stone. However, wood was the medium through which he had fully mastered the art of sculpting.

While most types of wood were malleable enough to be curved into different forms, Gibbons discovered that lime wood produced the best finishes because it had less pronounced graining. He carved delicate still-life sculptures of flowers, flowerpots, trees, and small animals, among other objects that he found interesting or artistically inspiring.  

2. His Success Was Influenced By His Move To England

Gibbons’ move to England was accompanied by numerous successes owing to his talent and hard work which was impressive to a majority of people who interacted with him as a young man. John Evelyn was a well-connected man who came across Gibbons鈥� works of art and was impressed, and he connected the young artist to royalty, Charles II.

This patronage led to commissions of artworks within the royal castle at Windsor as a decorator and an interior designer. Additionally, Gibbons served as the King鈥檚 Master Carver in 1693, which positioned him as the creative head of any sculptures, carvings, or related artworks that were required by the palace, and the kingdom to an extent.  

3. Gibbons鈥� Work Demand Was So High He Outsourced Art Pieces From Other Artist

Despite having a good reputation as a sculptor and a carver, Gibbons had a great entrepreneurial spirit that led to his success as a businessman. His skills in the creation of palatial homes increased the demand for his services and art pieces.

He met this demand by collaborating and partnering with artists to act as a broker for their works and pieces, therefore aiding him to build a successful art brokerage business. His business also supplied statuary and church monuments that were diverse and appealed to a wide array of client tastes.

4. Gibbons Managed The Largest Carving Workshop In Britain By The 1680s

Wood carving Tools. Photo By Demiahl –

Artists in London operated out of a sizeable yard located at the banks of the Thames, which was managed and operated by Gibbons in the 1600s.

Many expensive building projects during the era were undertaken through the workshops which were meticulously organized to meet strict deadlines and to abide by tight budgets dictated by the clients. This ensured a flow of high-volume consistent work that was undertaken by highly skilled workmen.

5. He Began Mentoring Young Artist From the Age of 24

The was an increase in the demand for carvings, sculptures, and related artworks throughout Britain during the 17^th century. Having made a name for himself, Gibbons was an independent carver whose work and expertise had great demand among individuals who had come across or heard of his artworks and pieces.

To meet this demand, he felt the need to nurture young artists as journeymen and apprentices to ensure there is continuity in his legacy as a sculptor and excellent carver. At 24, he mentored numerous young men in art and sculpting.

6. Gibbons Bought The Expertise Of Other Skilled Craftsmen To Compliment His Sculptures

To complement his sculptures and carvings, Gibbons appreciated oil paintings and other works on canvas which would enhance his decoration of interior spaces. He bought the expertise of the best Flemish craftsmen of his era and used their skills to complement those of his journeymen and apprentices.

7. Gibbons Sculptures Are Significant To Date

Gibbons’ time as the King鈥檚 Master Carver set him up for success as the official royal carver and sculptor. This manifested on two occasions, one of which he was commissioned to construct sculptors made of bronze and marble for Charles II.

The Charles II sculpture was moved to the Royal Hospital and is often re-gilded to remember the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

8. It is Speculated That The Statue of James II Was Not Gibbons鈥� Original Work

Statue of James II in Trafalgar Square. Photo By Yair Haklai –

James II succeeded to the throne with the ambition to restore Catholicism which led to his commissioning of a chapel. Gibbons was given the honor to preside over the construction of sculptures and carvings for the magnificent structure that held great significance to the King.  

However, it is speculated that the artists responsible for the brass sculpture were Peter Va Dievoet and Laurens Van Der Meulen. The statue of James II was originally in the old Palace of Whitehall. It currently stands at the National Gallery in the UK.

9. Gibbons Learned His Skills By Studying Works By Other Skilled Painters

Sir Peter Paul Rubens. Photo By Peter Paul Rubens –

When Gibbons moved to England, he was focused on perfecting his skills and growing in new areas within the realm of art. This inspired him to study and learn from other artists who were better versed in the areas in which he was interested.

This also included studying works by Flemish painters like Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Philips van Thielen, and Daniel Seghers which mostly depicted fruits and flowers.

10. His most popular works are located in a church in London and at Petworth House

One of Gibbons鈥� most famous and popular pieces is located in St. John鈥檚 Church which is based in London. This art piece was designed by Christopher Wren and it consisted of a marble font that is positioned in front of the church. Additionally, another monumental work of art by the artist is a curved room located at Petworth House in London.