Simon Gribelin II

Simon Gribelin II was an artist and printmaker active during the early 18th century, with documented activity spanning the years 1704 through 1720. His professional output consisted primarily of prints and engraved volumes, often focusing on elaborate allegory, religious themes, and royal portraiture.

The five works by the artist currently represented in museum collections demonstrate Gribelin’s versatility. His commercial works included the instructional volume A New Book of Ornaments Useful to All Artists, suggesting work in decorative or architectural engraving. Gribelin II also produced complex allegorical compositions centered on the Stuart monarchy, utilizing classical and mythological figures to enhance historical narrative. Examples of this political iconography include the print depicting James I appointing Charles as King of Scotland at center, Minerva spearing Ignorance at right, and Hercules beating Envy at left, and the print The apotheosis of James I in an oval at center, friezes with putti and garlands on either side. A key religious subject, Paul Preaching at Athens, is also preserved among his known works.

These surviving Simon Gribelin II prints establish the artist’s historical significance, ensuring their long-term preservation. Four individual prints and one volume are currently held in major North American institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. The documented holdings of these museum-quality historical prints ensure that Gribelin II’s compositions are often available as downloadable artwork within the public domain.