ACANTHUS- ART

 ACANTHUS (Acanthus mollis) Art .

The acanthus delights in warm countries and the banks of great rivers. Pliny speaks of its value for dec orative purposes. The ancients ornamented their furniture their vases and their valuable garments with its beautifully cut leaves. The robe of Helen was bordered by a garland of acanthus in relief. Virgil tells us also of a vase from the hand of Alcimedon. adorned with foliage imitated from the acanthus.This charming model of the arts has become their emblem. If anything is opposed to the acanthus, we see it redouble its forces and grow with new vigor. Thus genius rises and increases by the very obstacles which seemed insurmountable.It is related that the architect Callimachus passing by the tomb of a young girl, who died within the year on the eve of a happy marriage was moved by a tender pity and approached to throw flowers on it. But an offering had preceded this. The nurse of the young girl taking the veil and flowers which should have adorned her on her wedding day, put them in a little basket. then having placed it beside the tomb. on a plant of acanthus she covered it with a broad tile. The next spring the acanthus leaves had surrounded the basket. but, stopped by the edges of the tile. they bent back and rounded gracefully towards their extremities. Callimachus. surprised at this rural decoration. which seemed the work of the weeping Graces. made of it the capital of the Corinthian column. 

References

1.THE Language of flowers EDITED BY MISS ILDREWE 1 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION FROM THOMAS MILLER Illustrated by Colored Plates and Numerous Woodcuts after GUSTAVE DORÉ DAUBIGNY TIMMS AND OTHERS 
BOSTON LEE AND SHEPARD PUBLISHERS NEW YORK LEE SHEPARD AND DILLINGHAM 1874 Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1865 by DE VRIES IBARRA & CO In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts