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Historical Artist - Caius Gabriel Cibber (1630 - 1700)
Caius Gabriel Cibber was born in Denmark but moved to England in 1660. He was first employed by
John Stone and established his own studio upon his master’s death in 1667. He gained his
reputation by producing a number of recognized public commissions. In his later years, he
devoted himself to decorative sculpture. He was appointed "carver to the king's
closet" by William III. Many of his works were, or are, on public display in London,
including his statue of Charles II (1681), which still stands (rather worn away) in Soho Square,
two life-like human statues entitled "Melancholy" and "Raving Madness" which
were made for the gates of the 17th century mental hospital, then known as Bedlam (currently
Bethlem Royal Hospital) and can currently be seen in their museum (modelli in V&A). He also
created the bas reliefs on the base of the Monument to the Great Fire of London; his reliefs at
the Royal Exchange have been destroyed. He produced a number of excellent church monuments,
including those to the 7th and 8th Earls of Rutland at Bottesford (Leicestershire) and the
extraordinary Sackville monument at Withyam in East Sussex. A Flora in the gardens at Chatsworth
has in recent years been returned to the Temple named after her; other large works there include
the Sea Horse Fountain.
Contemporary United Kingdom Artists
Art Galleries in the United Kingdom
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