Grinling Gibbons

Grinling Gibbons (1648-1721) was an Anglo-Dutch sculptor and the finest woodcarver of his era. Born in Holland to English parents, he moved to England around 1667 and rose to become "King's Carver" by 1680. His royal commissions included work at Windsor Castle, Hampton Court Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, and the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Gibbons' trademark was cascading baroque garlands of flowers, fruits, leaves, fish, and birds, carved from lime wood at life-size with astonishing detail. Each element appears to tumble naturally from the wall, creating an illusion of weightless abundance. He also produced furniture and figurative relief plaques. Our collection features 4 works at the Cleveland Museum of Art.