Grinling Gibbons, an English wood carver and sculptor, born about 1650, died in London, Aug. 3, 1721. He was the son of a Dutchman who settled in London; and as he early excelled in his art, Evelyn recommended him to Charles II., who attached him to the board of public works, and employed him in the chapel of Windsor castle, for which he carved the foliage, and in the choir of St. Paul's and the great room at Petworth, the decorations of the latter being regarded as his masterpiece. Among his other carvings are the font in St. James's, Piccadilly, and the base of the equestrian statue of Charles I., in Charing cross. His best known sculpture is the statue of James II. in front of Whitehall. His fame, however, rests mainly on his wood carving, in which his touch was so graceful and delicate that his carved feathers can hardly be distinguished from real ones.