Acanthus Collection (page 2)

Bas relief of Mars, allegory of the planet. Sacrament Chapel or Chapel of the Planets. Work by Agostino di Duccio. Work by Matteo de'Pasti

Detail of the tomb of the brothers Francesco and Nicola Anguillara; the work is found in the church of Saint Francis in Capranica. Two statues of the deceased lying down appear on the sarcophagus

Detail of the trabeation of the exterior right portal of the Cathedral of Como; the decoration is composed of bas-reliefs with Romanesque acanthus, fantastic animals and male heads

Detail of one of the celing panels in the Laurentian Library in Florence. This work was designed by Michelangelo. Florence Laurentian Library Ceiling Late Renaissance, Renaissance

Detail of the ceiling of the Laurentian Library in Florence. This work was designed by Michelangelo. Florence Laurentian Library Ceiling Late Renaissance, Renaissance

Holy-water font, by Matteo Civitali, in St. Martin's Cathedral, in Lucca. Lucca St. Martin's Cathedral Holy Water Font Early Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods

Holy-water font with putto, by Matteo Civitali, in St. Martin's Cathedral, Lucca. Lucca St. Martin's Cathedral Holy Water Font Early Renaissance, Renaissance

Central detail of the marble altarpiece carved by Riccomanni, on the high altar in the Pieve of San Pantaleone, in Elici, near Pietrasanta, Versilia Pietrasanta Elici

A holy water stoup, sculpted by Donato Benti and located in the Church of Sant'Agostino in Pietrasanta, in the province of Lucca

A chest belonging to the Alessandri Family. Piece of furniture found in the Vincigliata Castle, near Fiesole Fiesole Vincigliata, castle Chest Late Renaissance, Renaissance

Close-up of the shrine with a statue of the Virgin holding the Child in her arms. Glazed terracotta by Andrea Della Robbia found in the Vincigliata Castle, near Fiesole

Shrine with a statue of the Virgin holding the Child in her arms. Glazed terracotta by Andrea Della Robbia found in the Vincigliata Castle, near Fiesole

A capital of St. Martin's Cathedral, in Pietrasanta, Versilia Pietrasanta St. Martin's Cathedral Capital High Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe

Tabernacle for Holy Oil. Sculpture in the Santa Maria Assunta Church, in Stazzema, near Pietrasanta, Versilia Stazzema Santa Maria Assunta Church Tabernacle Renaissance

15th century tabernacle in the Church of Saint John and Saint Felicity in Valdicastello Carducci, near Pietrasanta, Versilia Pietrasanta Valdicastello Carducci

A floor gravestone in the Church of Sant'Agostino in Pietrasanta, in the province of Lucca, Versilia Pietrasanta Church of Sant'Agostino Slab, Plate, Sheet Late Renaissance, Renaissance

A bronze angel bearing candelabrum, sculpted by Ferdinando Tacca and located in the Cathedral of San Martino, in Pietrasanta, in the province of Lucca

Arches with bas-reliefs by Antonello Gagini, under which are a painting representing a Madonna with Child and a statue of a saint between candelabra. Palermo Church of S

The undressing of Saint Lawrence: scene belonging to the Stories from the Life of Saint Lawrence. Stucco-work by Giacomo Serpotta, located in the Saint Lawrence Oratory in Palermo

Some panels of the double doors of the portal located beneath the portico of Agrigento's Cathedral. Agrigento Door Gothic, Middle Ages, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

Detail of one of the double doors of the portal, located beneath the portico of Agrigento's Cathedral. Agrigento Door Gothic, Middle Ages, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

Detail of the Side Portal of Monreale's Cathedral. Work in bronze sculpted by Gian Domenico and Fazio Gagini. Monreale Door Late Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods

Detail of some of the panels on the Main Door of Monreale's Cathedral. The work in bronze was sculpted by Bonanno Pisano

Capital with acanthus leaf decoration, cloister of Saint Oliva's Church in Cori Cori Saint Oliva's Church, Cloister Capital Early Renaissance, Renaissance

Detail of the Tomb of the Reliefs, also called the Beautiful Tomb, in Cerveteri's Etruscan necropolis. Belonging to the "Matuna" family, it is so named because of the reproduction

Tomb of the twin brothers Francesco and Nicola Anguillara in the Church of Saint Francis in Capranica, Gothic work in which the sarcophagus rests on two spiral columns

Marble pulpit by Antonello Gagini inside the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (or della Gancia), in Palermo. Palermo Church of Gancia o Santa Maria degli Angeli

Wooden choir of the Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli (or della Gancia), Rome. Palermo Church of Santa Maria degli Angeli, choir Chorus Late Renaissance, Renaissance

Shrine with the statue of the Enthroned Virgin Mary with Child. Sculpture located in the Church of Saint Francis of Assisi in Palermo

The main portal of the Madonna del Carmine Church in Bivona, Agrigento. Bivona Door Late Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

The portal of the La Grua-Talamanca Chapel, next to the Saint Mary of Jesus Convent in Palermo. Palermo Door Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe

A pilaster with four columns located in the Cloister of the Convent of the Benedictines. Architectural complex belonging to the Cathedral of Monreale

Angel bearing candelabrum, in the Cathedral of Volterra Volterra Cathedral, interior Statue Early Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe

Bronze door-knocker in the facade of Palazzo del Magnifico, in Siena. Siena Sculpture High Renaissance, Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

Detail of a window on the left side of Como's Cathedral. Como Cathedral Square Window Renaissance, Renaissance-Baroque styles and periods, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

Monument to Alessandro Volta by Pompeo Marchesi, Como. Como Monument Arts and handicrafts of XIX century, Nineteenth century, 19th century, Europe, First and Second Millennium A.D

Detail of the frieze on the bronze gate in the chapel of the Sacra Cintola in the Cathedral of Prato Prato Cathedral, chapel of the Sacra Cintola Gate - Railing Early Renaissance, Renaissance

Detail of the frieze on the bronze gate, in the chapel of the Sacra Cintola in the Cathedral of Prato Prato Cathedral, chapel of the Sacra Cintola Gate - Railing Early Renaissance, Renaissance

Detail of the bronze gate of the chapel of the Sacra Cintola in the Cathedral of Prato Prato Cathedral, chapel of the Sacra Cintola Gate - Railing Early Renaissance, Renaissance

Detail of one of the capitals of the pilasters in the Monreale Cloister: the decoration is of acanthus leaves and eagles. Monreale Benedictine Convent, Cloister Capital Romanesque, Middle Ages

Detail of one of the capitals of the pilasters of the Monreale Cloister in Palermo: the decoration consists of couples of eagles and male masks

One of the capitals, decorated with acanthus leaves and fantastical animals, of the pilasters of the Monreale Cloister in Palermo

Detail of one of the capitals decorated with acanthus leaves and lions of the pilasters of the Monreale Cloister in Palermo

Detail of one of the capitals decorated with acanthus leaves of the pilasters of the Monreale Cloister in Palermo Monreale Benedictine Convent, cloister Capital Romanesque, Middle Ages, Europe

Detail of one of the capitals of the pilasters of the Monreale Cathedral's cloiser: the decoration consists of acanthus leaves and eagles

A pilaster consisting of four columns, located in the Cloister of the Benedictine Convent. This architectural complex is part of the Monreale Cathedral

One of the quatrefoil pillars in the cloister of the Benedictine monastery in Monreale Palermo Benedictine monastery, cloister Pilaster Romanesque, Middle Ages, Europe

The Gatti family tomb sculpted by Giuseppe Benetti. The sculpture is at the Monumental Cemetery in Staglieno near Genoa. Genoa Staglieno

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Acanthus, a versatile and timeless motif that has graced various forms of art throughout history. From ancient terracotta amphoras to intricate relief carvings on the Ara Pacis Augustae, acanthus leaves have captivated artists and admirers alike. Even in architecture, this exquisite foliage finds its place. The oak architrave sections of RMS Olympic bear witness to the grandeur design. Its scrolling reliefs add an elegant touch to Roman columns and Corinthian capitals, showcasing the mastery of W & AK Johnston. But it is not just in grand structures where acanthus thrives; they can be found even in everyday objects. Take for instance the porcelain Porter Mug depicting an industrial scene from Manchester's Soho Foundry or the stateroom cabin door aboard RMS Olympic. Acanthus brings beauty into our lives through unexpected avenues. Intriguingly, it also made its way into textiles with William Morris' Wallpaper Sample featuring chrysanthemums. This color woodblock print showcases how nature-inspired patterns can seamlessly blend with acanthus motifs. Beyond art and design, we encounter the living embodiment in plants like bears breeches (Acanthus spinosus). These spiky yet graceful leaves remind us of nature's ability to inspire human creativity. Whether adorning prestigious Panathenaic prize amphoras or gracing Hisham's Palace near Jericho during the 8th century AD, acanthus continues to enchant us with its elegance and versatility.