Few can hear the words wood carving and not think of one of two things: German Black Forest artisans famed for making wildlife come alive in wood, or the genius of Grinling Gibbons who left his spectacular carvings in many British stately homes such as Petworth and royal palaces Hampton Court and Windsor Castle. 2021 is the centenary of this artisan’s death. So it is the ideal time to revel in his ability to make still lives in wood appear real with his matchless techniques and the art of the trompe l’oeil.
KCWC favourite, Nicholas Merchant, will treat us to the tour de force in carving that is Grinling Gibbons at the kind invitation of the BADA Friends Trust.