“Gimme pictures! More pictures!
Ones big enough to actually see details!”
Those were my rants when I was trying to learn to carve like Grinling Gibbons. Every book I found, save one, had tiny postage stamp size pictures, and even the internet had a scarcity of detailed photos of Gibbons’ work. That desire for more detailed photos led to a couple of tours of his artwork around London and to the creation of this site. Here, you’ll find most of my collection and they are all available at full resolution for your use.
Grinling who?
Do you know of Grinling Gibbons? If you’re a woodcarver, you probably do. If you’re an aficionado of 17th century British art, you probably do.
His skill and reputation is such that many consider him the “Michelangelo of Wood,” the title used for an exhibition of his work at the Tower of London a few years ago.
By the time Gibbons died in 1721 interest in his style of woodcarving had faded. Yet, 300 years later much of his work still survives and still impresses with its intricacy and delicacy.
Let’s go back 300 years. Those of you interested in his life and works, please start with the About Gibbons page. Those interested in using the photos I have taken, please review the About my photos page. Or, go directly to the photos.