Fig. 150.—Acanthus Spinosus from nature.
leaves from Greek capitals, the first two have been drawn from nature. The acanthus, as we know it in the capitals of the Greek and Roman Corinthian, and the Roman Composite orders, is an artistic creation, adapted to suit the ends of a grand style of architecture, and not an imitation of a particular leaf. The characteristic difference of the classic ornament from the natural leaf lies in the “pipes” that start from the “eyes” at the base of the leaflets,
Fig. 151.—Greek acanthus leaf from a capital of the Tower of the Winds.
and, somewhat contrary to nature, taper downwards to the base of the leaf; these pipes, together with the central stalk, impart that strength and dignity which is necessary for architectural foliage, especially when it adorns the bell of a capital. (See [Fig. 154].) The pipes are less important, and are consequently less marked in examples of smaller work, such as may be found in the acanthus of candelabra and panels, in which constructive strength is not required.
Fig. 152.—Greek acanthus leaf with flowers from a capital of the Choragic Monument of Lysikrates.