Gibbons’ Fourth Apprentice (Drapers’ Company Bindings Book 1655-89)
Creator(s): Worshipful Company of Drapers
Date: Entry for 2 December 1679 (contained in book dated 1655-89)
Accession Number: DR/FB4
Materials: Work on paper (book)
Location: Drapers’ Hall, Throgmorton Avenue, London EC2N 2DQ
Credit Line (copyright notice for material) : © The Drapers' Company
NOTES ON THE ARTWORK
On 2 December 1679, Henry Summers (son of Henry Summers of Braintree, Essex) is bound as Gibbons’ fourth apprentice. At this time Gibbons’ is continuing his work at Windsor Castle, the largest royal project of the decade, producing carvings for the Kings’ Chapel from 1680 to 1682. In the chapel 28 round-headed niches sat behind the choir, each filled with flowers, fruit and ribbons, and above a pelican with her young. It was undoubtedly an extensive piece of work and one which drew great praise from John Evelyn and Celia Fiennes. It is unsurprising that Gibbons sought to swell his workshop with an additional apprentice at this time.
Further reading: David Esterly, ‘Grinling Gibbons and the Art of Carving’, V&A Publications, 1998, pgs 174-6.
Henry Summers becomes Gibbons' fourth apprentice on 2 December 1679 © The Drapers' Company
