How was it made? Carving Grinling Gibbons' cravat | V&A

Grinling Gibbons' limewood cravat was carved during the baroque period, over 300 years ago. Celebrated for its amazing realism and the exquisite detailing of lace, it is a landmark work by Britain's most famous carver.
This film follows carver Clunie Fretton as she partially recreates the cravat in her studio using traditional tools. Watch as a fresh block of limewood is meticulously measured, outlined, and then painstakingly shaped over a two-week period. Using a variety of razor-sharp chisels, the complex form of the cravat is reproduced, along with the astonishing detail of its opulent needle lace. As she works, Clunie explains her approach and understanding of Gibbons' extraordinary achievement.
Find out more about Grinling Gibbons: www.vam.ac.uk/collections/gri...
See the cravat in Explore the Collections: collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O5...

Пікірлер: 251

  • @PLuMUK54
    @PLuMUK543 жыл бұрын

    This video shows exactly why I get annoyed when people say things like "oh work like this cannot be done today, we have lost the skills". Gibbons was exceptional in his time, not a run-of-the-mill craftsman. It is the same today, as then, most could not achieve this level of craftsmanship. Yet there are, as the video shows, those with exceptional ability who can match the best of the past. Wood carvers, artists, embroiderers, stained glass artists, even a number of art forgers, and so on, can all be as good as any in history.

  • @avian8338

    @avian8338

    2 жыл бұрын

    We can COPY, but not CREATE. v.different

  • @bustedkeaton

    @bustedkeaton

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@avian8338 plenty of people can create, but the difference is the ruling class isnt paying them to anymore. Theyd rather it be done fast and cheap by people who cant ask for what the works worth

  • @drugbuddy665

    @drugbuddy665

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@avian8338 an artist who had to practice for years to painstakingly carve a delicate wood sculpture in 1601 but was paid by an inbred royal to do so = real artistic creation an artist who had to practice for years to painstakingly carve a delicate wood sculpture in 2021 out of creative passion = just copying, making it completely different than the aforementioned wood carving ??? Ok

  • @wtripley

    @wtripley

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@avian8338 in case you never realized, the reason modern art isn’t as realistic and detailed is because we have cameras. We can make an exact copy of an image we see, down to the micro details. Why would anyone pay for a painting of something that a camera can give more quickly and more accurately? Instead, contemporary artists have moved on to the evocation of emotion as the primary effect of art. Stop being so stuck up about what you think art should be and start questioning what art even is...

  • @fritula6200

    @fritula6200

    2 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant !!!

  • @londonhodnet4079
    @londonhodnet40793 жыл бұрын

    Love seeing the younger generations keeping these skills alive

  • @mscott3918
    @mscott39183 жыл бұрын

    It's wonderful to see this fantastic ability being continued by the young generation. Reassuring that restoration work will be able to carry on.

  • @jamesaritchie1

    @jamesaritchie1

    2 жыл бұрын

    It;s more reassuring to know that original creativity and genius will carry on. I know more about painting than about any type of sculpturing or woodcarving, though I've done a good bit of each. With painting, you learn to be original by first copying the old masters. Learning to paint like da Vinci is easy. Learning how to be both good and original is the place where almost everyone fails. Good is easy, and original is easy, but creating something that is both is, for most, impossible. Even for the true geniuses it can take a lot of failure and suffering. Many give up when faced with this, even if they have the capability. The leading painter in my classes was a man who could create taggering copies of any old master, but who could create nothing original worth looking at. He went on to become an art forger.

  • @susanhepburn6040
    @susanhepburn60403 жыл бұрын

    I love Grinling Gibbons'work and it's wonderful to see a young woodcarver demonstrating such skill herself. Thank you very much for sharing this!

  • @juliancoulden1753
    @juliancoulden17532 жыл бұрын

    Wow, I am in awe at the skill and mastery of this extraordinary young woman. Absolutely superb. Spell binding!

  • @europamacmillan9498
    @europamacmillan94982 жыл бұрын

    I have worked with my hands all my life since I was a little child and I am full of admiration for this woman -especially because she has no scars on her hands-Very careful and methodical

  • @markmiller3279

    @markmiller3279

    2 жыл бұрын

    I'm sure she has cut herself, especially when first learning such extraordinary skills. Those chisels are incredibly sharp and make very clean cuts that can heal without scarring. I did it a few times myself trying to learn some basic skills, and have no scars.

  • @melissahauke8682
    @melissahauke86823 жыл бұрын

    wow from the thumbnail I thought it's about conserving lace. Also it's so satisfying seeing such beautifull piece of plain wood, so well seasoned and so dense and carving like butter. The choice of wood and having good and sharp tools are key here.

  • @MTMF.london

    @MTMF.london

    3 жыл бұрын

    She used limewood which is a very light and soft wood, not dense. Because of its texture it is a used in classical sculpture, alter pieces, intricate carvings (the Gibbons' cravat) and model building.

  • @melissahauke8682

    @melissahauke8682

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@MTMF.london by dense I mean that the fibers are so small and compacted. You actually can't see the fibers here as oppese to pine for example.

  • @littlejuicebox
    @littlejuicebox2 жыл бұрын

    The patience and control of the wood carver is mind blowing

  • @kristinedunkleman8767
    @kristinedunkleman87672 жыл бұрын

    What beautiful workmanship. The hours that it takes to make the wooden Cravat. She is so confident as she carves. ❤

  • @MDeLorien
    @MDeLorien3 жыл бұрын

    Holy smokes that's absolutely mind blowing. Love her art 🖤🖤🖤

  • @jessejohnson159
    @jessejohnson1592 жыл бұрын

    Not only am I super impressed with your carving skills and your patience to do projects like this, your tool sharpening skills must be even greater! BRAVO!

  • @LostCylon
    @LostCylon3 жыл бұрын

    Grinling Gibbons work has amazed people for centuries, and will for centuries to come. Learn more about his works, and be amazed also, I know I was, long ago.

  • @Alexander-rq9he

    @Alexander-rq9he

    2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve never heard of him/his work.. I will..I’m intrigued ❤️

  • @markmiller3279

    @markmiller3279

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@Alexander-rq9he He was in great demand by the builders of stately homes for his ability to carve the most wonderful details.

  • @barefoofDr
    @barefoofDr2 жыл бұрын

    As a carver I have spent hours looking at photos of Gibbons work. You have executied this to perfection.. It is so nice to see work so well done.

  • @shawnstone72
    @shawnstone722 жыл бұрын

    Wow! She is so talented. I love watching someone with so much talent share their amazing abilities with others. If KZread has at least one redeeming quality it’s things like this being shared.

  • @scoochysteve
    @scoochysteve Жыл бұрын

    Funny thing, I am 52 and only found out about four years ago in a passing conversation with my mum that I am in fact a direct descendent from Grinling Gibbons on my mothers side! We are also quite an artistic family which just shows, creativity definitely is a genetic trait.

  • @janewhite2331
    @janewhite23313 жыл бұрын

    Very very skilful

  • @davidcerce
    @davidcerce Жыл бұрын

    Amazing craftsmanship of Gibbons from nearly 300 years ago! He was an absolute master! I absolutely applaud this woman for working at this level of art! She is incredible!

  • @debb8152
    @debb8152 Жыл бұрын

    Wow wow wow. Amazing work Clunie Fretton. What a challenge.

  • @josephmessner5312
    @josephmessner53123 жыл бұрын

    Wonderful woodcarver with such beautiful work !!

  • @elizabethclaiborne6461
    @elizabethclaiborne64612 жыл бұрын

    Amazing. Both the Grinley and the repro are mind boggling.

  • @catherinejustcatherine1778
    @catherinejustcatherine17783 жыл бұрын

    This is wonderful! Thank you all for posting & doing.

  • @mjremy2605
    @mjremy2605 Жыл бұрын

    What a labor of love. You invest a piece of your life in every work of this caliber! Marvelous!

  • @WondrousEarth
    @WondrousEarth2 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful craftsmanship, your 'replica' of the original is so well made, remarkable how much intricate detail there is.

  • @paulmaryon9088
    @paulmaryon9088 Жыл бұрын

    Wow, oh my what wonderful work, thank you for posting

  • @englishruraldoggynerd
    @englishruraldoggynerd2 жыл бұрын

    That’s absolutely fascinating, and what skill! I hope that they are going to display this next to the original, and show the video, I think people will be as fascinated with it as I was, and the quality of her work is good enough to enter the museum in its own right. 🏳️‍🌈😷👍🏻

  • @massabielle2821
    @massabielle28212 жыл бұрын

    Ms. Fretton! Exquisite skills, and outstanding piece! I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation, and I thank you for sharing this journey.

  • @simonswoodcraft6730
    @simonswoodcraft67302 жыл бұрын

    This video is definitely an eye opener. Love the way you approach this project.

  • @maureentaphouse5206
    @maureentaphouse52062 жыл бұрын

    That was incredible to watch. Thank you and thank you to the carver for showing us how it was done.

  • @k.k.2191
    @k.k.21912 жыл бұрын

    A gorgeous craftsperson replicating a gorgeous piece. I am amazed with the time and skill invested in this piece.

  • @labj4853
    @labj48533 жыл бұрын

    Very impressive! Thanks for sharing!!

  • @flamencoprof
    @flamencoprof2 жыл бұрын

    So great to hear of Grinling Gibbons again! When I began a driving tour of Britain in 1996 I had never heard of him. Six weeks later I was looking for his work at every location I visited.

  • @jacquegazzard4028
    @jacquegazzard40282 жыл бұрын

    Unbelievably brilliant to see true craftsmanship in action and explained. Massive congrats! I wouldn’t have found you but for Stephanie Jarvis either!

  • @worldgonemad1977
    @worldgonemad19772 жыл бұрын

    Fascinating to watch this process! My father was a monumental mason and watching a lump of stone turn into a thing of beauty is a joy - as is watching this lady do the same with a lump of wood 💖

  • @chrisberry9017
    @chrisberry9017 Жыл бұрын

    What an utter joy to watch! I could ‘feel’ every cut that was made! Oh, the delight of working with such super-sharp tools, in such a detailed design. Wondering! Thank you!

  • @lynnblack6493
    @lynnblack6493 Жыл бұрын

    Love it. One video I can watch over and over. So meticulous. ❤

  • @amirowild7264
    @amirowild72642 жыл бұрын

    AH . MAZE . ZING. BRAVO! Or, in fact, BRAVA! This lady is a magician.

  • @roninnovastar1321
    @roninnovastar13212 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely Amazing !! Its a pleasure to watch these high caliber arts & crafts people display there skills.

  • @camiamy45
    @camiamy452 жыл бұрын

    Amazing!! Thank you for sharing Quel incroyable travail, un objet tellement original et magnifique!

  • @Marykguise
    @Marykguise2 жыл бұрын

    Wow! Absolutely breathtaking, painstakingly beautiful work!!

  • @julieenslow5915
    @julieenslow59152 жыл бұрын

    Impressive, by any standard. And so beautiful!

  • @leesharpe3675
    @leesharpe36752 жыл бұрын

    I've been a big fan of GG's work for many years and this is absolutely wonderful - to be able to see how it was done. If I'd known about this sort of thing many years ago, I would have loved to have done it myself, but now too old and arthritic! Clever girl - let's see more. Many many thanks. Ms Lee Sharpe

  • @SpecialSP
    @SpecialSP Жыл бұрын

    Absolutely breathtaking! Thank you.

  • @1989kd
    @1989kd2 жыл бұрын

    The craftsmanship is absolutely exquisite. 😌

  • @warpedweft9004
    @warpedweft9004 Жыл бұрын

    When I first saw this video come up, I thought it was actual Venetian Gros Point lace because of how real it looks. VGP lace is made with a needle and thread, buttonholing and/or winding thread over a couched thread outline and creating a webbed mesh with buttonholing to join them together. The raised bits are worked over a padding created with bundles of thread. What makes this so special to me is that the carving is so realistic you can "see" the individual threads as you would if it had been created with a needle and thread. Absolutely amazing!

  • @Viky.A.V.
    @Viky.A.V. Жыл бұрын

    It's simply unbelievable! What a work...

  • @jimmurphy6095
    @jimmurphy60952 жыл бұрын

    I love the idea of leaving it incomplete to show the process. Perfect. Well done indeed...

  • @grimmgnarly
    @grimmgnarly Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful. Both pieces. 👏

  • @DipityS
    @DipityS2 жыл бұрын

    This young artist is extraordinarily talented and I felt privileged to be able to watch on into her process. I also felt much more like I understood the first artist, as before the video I couldn't even imagine what sort of magic could produce such an exquisitely crafted item. Well, now I know, years and years of dedication and focus and working and hard earned experience.

  • @tymz-r-achangin
    @tymz-r-achangin Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the video. Very interesting to watch how much effort, time, work, and certainly patience that a person has to produce such intricate things

  • @chrispokorney6801
    @chrispokorney68019 ай бұрын

    Astounding Work !!

  • @easterazali9237
    @easterazali92372 жыл бұрын

    Absolutely stunning and detailed wood art ! 🤩🥰. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

  • @jenniferstone2975
    @jenniferstone2975 Жыл бұрын

    Superb! Watching a master craftsman at their craft is a sublime experience. Well done!

  • @soniatriana9091
    @soniatriana90912 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful art has been admired, created, & collected by people who are inspired by nature & appreciative of what talents human beings are capable of!

  • @Casey.seeK.
    @Casey.seeK.3 жыл бұрын

    Loved the video! Keep them coming.

  • @chippyshoppe7695
    @chippyshoppe76952 жыл бұрын

    Clunie that is a fantastic piece of work, and i hope that you will continue to make a video to show the completed piece, skilled crafts person, clever very clever!

  • @Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum
    @Little_Red_Riding_Hoodlum Жыл бұрын

    This is just incredible.

  • @cynthiavanteylingen7922
    @cynthiavanteylingen7922 Жыл бұрын

    Very cool to see the proces

  • @RDavis-lr1zc
    @RDavis-lr1zc Жыл бұрын

    Truly stunning.

  • @impunitythebagpuss
    @impunitythebagpuss2 жыл бұрын

    Jaw dropping! Then and now! Wow!

  • @jeanhawken4482
    @jeanhawken44822 жыл бұрын

    Lovely work

  • @mirkatu3249
    @mirkatu32492 жыл бұрын

    Watching this was amazing. What a skilled artisan.

  • @jaylittleton1
    @jaylittleton1 Жыл бұрын

    In addition to this artist's skill and knowledge, I greatly respect the patience it took. Respect rendered.

  • @gloriagavaneli9862
    @gloriagavaneli98622 жыл бұрын

    Wow unbelievable craft.

  • @52memor
    @52memor2 жыл бұрын

    Superb !!! thanks for sharing

  • @pleinecampagne4504
    @pleinecampagne4504 Жыл бұрын

    Absolument époustouflant. Quel savoir-faire et quelle habileté ... sans compter le temps et la maîtrise de soi !

  • @IrishAnnie
    @IrishAnnie2 жыл бұрын

    I loved the V&A museum when we went to London two years ago. I would go back in a minute.

  • @richardlane2651
    @richardlane26512 жыл бұрын

    Fantastic video of an incredible craftsperson at work. A really useful illustration of the different stages the original artist would have worked though to carve the original piece. Thank you.

  • @rosieHolliday5887
    @rosieHolliday58872 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful x

  • @elitesflowers-floristshop.3616
    @elitesflowers-floristshop.36162 жыл бұрын

    Stunning 😍

  • @helenburke9507
    @helenburke9507 Жыл бұрын

    Stunning

  • @mattynoonan4428
    @mattynoonan44282 жыл бұрын

    Stunning!

  • @melissamohr8985
    @melissamohr89852 жыл бұрын

    Incredible!!!!!

  • @taralynn7712
    @taralynn77122 жыл бұрын

    This is crazy amazing!

  • @anniehague1554
    @anniehague1554 Жыл бұрын

    Exquisite. Best regards.

  • @wendynordstrom3487
    @wendynordstrom3487 Жыл бұрын

    FANTASTIC!! Now I want to try woodcarving!

  • @sherryblack7586
    @sherryblack75862 жыл бұрын

    Amazing!

  • @chrismalcomson7640
    @chrismalcomson7640 Жыл бұрын

    Wonderful piece of work! As a marquetry maker I understand completely the way you get into the minds of the original makers. Its interesting when you're using a new technique or style you're learning all the way through the job so its a good idea to start in the least visible place when you're getting your eye in. If you know what your looking at you can often work out where the artist started and finished just by the quality and confidence of the design..

  • @bri0013
    @bri00132 жыл бұрын

    Breathtaking beauty and precision.

  • @betttrbeth
    @betttrbeth2 жыл бұрын

    Stunning.

  • @joenisnapje712
    @joenisnapje712 Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful 🤩

  • @robertafierro5592
    @robertafierro5592 Жыл бұрын

    I had to watch this AGAIN!

  • @rebeccavalicoff1581
    @rebeccavalicoff1581 Жыл бұрын

    Incredible

  • @johngray8249
    @johngray8249 Жыл бұрын

    Marvellous, lady you are very skilful, I admire and envy your talent. You are blessed with an amazing gift.👍👍👍👍💖💖💖

  • @graemebrumfitt6668
    @graemebrumfitt66682 жыл бұрын

    Now that is a set of chisels! I have a set of 12 that cost a few bob but this set must have cost a fair few quid! They are in the hands of someone who knows how to use them though, unlike myself :( TFS (thanks for sharing) GB :)

  • @lindsayvanniekerk9483
    @lindsayvanniekerk94832 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful work. I imagine in the past, that tap tap tapping sound could be heard often as people made or fixed everyday things. Doing this work requires a great awareness of touch and sound that we don’t have any use for now.

  • @pacificperiscope8844
    @pacificperiscope88442 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful wood carving

  • @catherinemtc7795
    @catherinemtc77952 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful

  • @irmacapasso7144
    @irmacapasso7144 Жыл бұрын

    Wow complimenti

  • @deborahduthie4519
    @deborahduthie45192 жыл бұрын

    Exquisite wood crafting.

  • @marciec6862
    @marciec6862 Жыл бұрын

    Extraordinário! 🌺

  • @mavigogun
    @mavigogun Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for reminding me to go sculpt.

  • @IrishAnnie
    @IrishAnnie2 жыл бұрын

    He made a wooden sign in front of his home that was so fine, it vibrated when coaches passed his house.

  • @sherryrector2275
    @sherryrector2275 Жыл бұрын

    Exquisite

  • @GaiaCarney
    @GaiaCarney2 жыл бұрын

    lovely 💐

  • @realityjunky
    @realityjunky Жыл бұрын

    David Esterly wrote a lovely book about carving lime wood. I highly recommend it.

  • @haileyxin
    @haileyxin2 жыл бұрын

    Just wow

  • @drusabs
    @drusabs2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing skills wish I had kept up my carving work I tried to do in school but back then I had no teacher or references to guide me how to do things

  • @ichabodon
    @ichabodon2 жыл бұрын

    Love to see how to sharpen those tools.

  • @carmenm.4091
    @carmenm.4091 Жыл бұрын

    WOW!!! ❤

  • @2RedCrows
    @2RedCrows Жыл бұрын

    I wish they’d make the 3D available for sale so we can enjoy it up close, touch it, etc.