Perhaps you have never heard of acanthus, but surely you have seen it more than once, even if it is not in its vegetable form. You may also know it by another name, such as nazareno, carnerona, or giant grass. It is a common plant in gardens, parks and greenhouses, although the acanthus leaf may be familiar to you in another field, such as architecture.
This element belonging to the plant in question has been used a lot in the past to create columns, filigrees and other decorative elements. If you want to learn more about the acanthus leaf, I recommend that you keep reading. In this article, we will explain what it is and discuss its importance in architecture.
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What is the acanthus leaf?
When we speak of acanthus, or acanthus molliswe refer to a perennial plant native to Asia Minor and West Africa that is part of the Acanthaceae family. Despite beautiful white to purple flowers, its main characteristic is its leaves. These resemble those of the thistle and have a very intense green color. The basals are twenty to one hundred centimeters wide and two to thirty centimeters long. They are usually elliptical or oval in shape. In contrast, the upper leaves are considerably smaller, reaching between one and four centimeters wide and between one and two and a half centimeters long. In addition, they are prickly at the top.
According to a very old legend, Callimachus, who was a Greek goldsmith, painter and sculptor, saw a specimen of acanthus curled up in the tomb of a young girl. This image inspired him to create an ornamentation that has become very popular, belonging to Corinthian capitals. Later we will discuss what the acanthus leaf has to do with architecture.
What kind of plant is the acanthus?
It is very good that we know what an acanthus leaf is, but what type of plant is it really? Let’s see: This vegetable is grown almost all over the world, using it mainly for decoration. Besides, has certain medicinal and therapeutic qualities thanks to the various active components it has, such as mineral salts, tannins, mucilages and others. The properties attributed to this precious plant are astringent, expectorant, antidiarrheal, analgesic (although quite mild) and emollient.
When acanthus leaf is taken orally, it has a laxative and stimulating effect, helping to open the capacity. Topically, since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used as a poultice, applying it to inflamed areas. The juice of this vegetable is also used for medicinal purposes, as it relieves insect bites and burns. In addition, it helps treat bruises caused by light blows, falls or impacts, and fights herpes. As they say, acanthus is able to accelerate the healing process of wounds and reduce skin irritation.
In traditional medicine, the mucilaginous roots of this vegetable are used to fight diarrhea. In the past, This plant was highly recommended to relieve nasal congestion and clear the airways. Therefore, it was widely used to treat pharyngitis, bronchitis, colds and other respiratory diseases.
What is the acanthus in architecture?
Since classical Greece, the acanthus leaf has been a decorative element that has gone through history through different styles. It is in the 5th century BC. J.-C. that Callimaque introduced this ornament, modifying the volutes of the capitals belonging to the Ionic style of the Greek architectural orders, passing to the Corinthian style. We can appreciate the importance of this new element, especially in the columns. Additionally, the acanthus leaf gave rise to the so-called “palmette”, which is essentially an ornament similar to a palm leaf, but stylized. The pattern is the same as that of the acanthus leaves, but it is generally more symmetrical and static.
The acanthus leaf according to different styles
Throughout history, the acanthus leaf has acquired various aspects, some more realistic than others. It all depended on the concept that held at the time in question, varying the border and the treatment of the form, thus making it easier to distinguish the styles of the last centuries. let’s see how it has evolved since Antiquity through the different styles:
- Greek: In classical Greece, acanthus leaves, usually rolled up, were a symbol representing eternal life. They have been used to decorate structures and sculptures with a very elegant touch.
- Roman: The Romans used more rounded shapes. Additionally, they enlarged the leaves and widened the curves to give it more movement. In this way they wanted to add to the idea of plant life also energy and vitality.
- Byzantine: Before entering medieval times, this decorative element became less delicate and more rigid.
- Medieval art: In the Middle Ages, the acanthus leaf began to decorate paper in the form of engravings, decorating above all the capital letters and the margins of the texts. Regarding the appearance, it begins to be less elegant than in classicism and the lines are simpler and more circular.
- Gothic: At this stage, it is combined with other plants to decorate various architectural structures and sculptures. The details are of great importance and acquire more organic shapes, such as tongues of fire and flames, making it difficult to recognize the acanthus leaf.
- Renaissance: During the Renaissance, this decorative element regained its Greco-Roman elegance, becoming an extremely sophisticated detail.
- Baroque and Rococo: At these times, the acanthus leaf acquires even more sophistication and becomes a very present element in goldsmithery and cabinetmaking.
As you can see, during the evolution of the acanthus leaf, it has always kept its shape and its vegetal movement, but slightly modifying its shape and appearance, adapting to the canons of the era. Without a doubt, it is a decorative element that gives a lot of ornamental play. It can be mixed with different structures and elements in various artistic and architectural disciplines.