Page:Dictionary of Artists of the English School (1878).djvu/192

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He practised miniature painting but styled himself 'painter and arcnitect,' visited Italy and gave himself airs of importance, at- tended the young prince and the duke to Spain in 1623, ostensibly as a miniature painter, and painted the portrait of the Infanta, but was employed in the marriage negotiations. On the accession of Charles I. he was employed in Flanders to negotiate a treaty with Spain. In 1628 he enter- tained the King and Queen at supper, and was knighted the same year. In 1641, continuing in favour at Court, he was ap- pointed master of the ceremonies. He is said subsequently to have been neglected at Court, and to have gone to Surinam with the intention to settle there, but to have been arrested and sent to Holland by the Dutch. During the Commonwealth he ap- pears again in London. He was a purchaser of some of the King's pictures which were then sold, and next the founder, in 164S, of a short-lived sort of universal academy, opened the following year at Bethnal Green, where he proposed to teach everything — an expedient probably in his days of poverty. On the restoration of Charles II. he was again in the ascendant, and prepared the triumphal arches to welcome the King's return. He was appointed to succeed Inigo Jones as the surveyor of the royal palaces, and was naturalised by statute in 1641. He commenced Hempstead Marshall, a large mansion, for Lord Craven, which was burnt down, and before the completion of his work died, and was buried there in 1667. His miniatures are well drawn and finished, his ornamental and architectural drawings not without merit. He wrote an * Encyclo- paedia of Art/ and treatises and suggestions. out of a superficial character, on several subjects, and published, in 1662, 'The Three chief Principles of magnificent Build- ing ; ' in 1663, ' Caution and Advice to all Builders.' Walpole calls him architect, author, lecturer, diplomatist, quack. He styled himself 'Baron d'Ouvilly,' and ap- pears to have been an unscrupulous, clever schemer.

GESSNER, Solomon, subject painter. Bora in Switzerland in 1730. Practised in England with some reputation, chiefly for the illustration of books, and was in ad- vance rather of the manner of the time. He died in 1788. His son Conrad also practised for a while both in England and Scotland.

GIBB, Robebt, R.S.A., landscape painter. Was born in Dundee. His land- scapes are truthful and carefully finished. On the foundation of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1830, he was chosen one of the first members. He died, after a short career, in 1837. Some of his works are in the Royal Academy and Royal Institution in Edinburgh.

GIBBON, Benjamin Piielps, enyraver. Born in 1802. Son of the vicar of Penally, Pembrokeshire. He was educated in the Clergy Orphan School, and apprenticed to Scriven, an engraver in the cnalk manner. On the completion of his time he placed himself with J. II. Robinson, under whom he soon attained great proficiency as a line engraver. He worked both in the line and in a mixed manner. His style is simple, refined, and finished, but wanting in power. He engraved, after Landseer, 'The Twa Dogs,' l Jack in Office,' ' Shepherd's Chief Mourner ; ' after Mulready, ' The Wolf and the Lamb.' He also engraved some por- traits, among them a full-length of the Queen. He died unmarried in London, July 28, 1851, in his 4!)th year.

GIBBONS, Grilling, carver in wood. The accounts of his birth] >lace are conflict- ing. He is said to have been born at Rot- terdam, April 4, 1648 ; of Dutch parents, at Spur Alley, in the Strand ; and of English parents, in Holland. Evelyn tells that he lived in Belle Sauvage Court, Ludgate-Hill, and afterwards removed to Deptford, where he accidentally met with him, discovered his great talent, and made him known, in 1671, to Charles II. The King employed him in decorating several of the royal palaces, and gave him an office under the Board of Works. Fine examples of his work in wood, finished with the greatest truth, refinement, and skill, will be found at Windsor, St. Paul's Cathedral, Chats- worth, Petworth, Burleigh, and Trinity College, Oxford. In the later part of his career he produced some fine works in mar- ble. The pedestal of Charles I.'s statue at Charing Cross in stone is by him, and is a rich and tasteful work. The statue of James II. in bronze at the back of White- hall Chapel cannot be placed among his successful works. He was master carver to Charles II., James II., William III., and George I. He lived in Bow Street, Covent Garden, from 1678 till his death, August 3. 1721, and was buried in St. Paul's, the'parisn church. His carvings, paintings, and art works were sold by auction in the November following. He married and had five daughters.

GIBBS, James, architect Born 1674, near Aberdeen, the son of a merchant of repute in that city. He was educated in the Marischal College, had a strong inclina- tion to mathematics, and took Ins M.A. degree. His father, who was a Romai* Catholic, sold his property in 1688, and dying early, his son's education was con- tinued by an uncle and aunt. There was probably little to induce him to stay in his native town, and resolving to seek his for- tune abroad, about 1694 he left Aberdeen, to which he never returned. He went to Holland, where he spent some years in the

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