Walking through a history of the acanthus leaf has its difficulties, as the different art periods often overlap and the styles regularly migrate from country to country. There are many writings created on the history of ornamental arts, and I do not intend this Greek Acanthus carving Course to be an expert in historical account. I know about development of Acanthus in History but I am NOT Phd level historian. 

I am Wood Carver who carves every day from the morning to late evening.

History of the acanthus leaf and meaning

Have you ever seen carved leaves used as building and room decorations? Or when You in Art museum and observing fine art, most likely the most famous painting will be surrounded with a beautiful carved frame. And on that frame, you most likely will see some carved foliage. They might have been acanthus leaves. Acanthus is everywhere. 

I was visiting St. Augustine in Florida, the oldest city in USA. There is an old fort. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument. I should call it Castle. America starts here. 

Very interesting fact, even on old cannons You still will find acanthus motif.  

Since about the 5th century Before Crisht, acanthus leaf motifs have become synonymous with the classical architecture of Greeks.

During Renaissance times and medieval times , it also incorporated the acanthus leaf motif into woodcarvings, sculptures,  and cornices, fine art framing, house doors and windows casings.

Today we could find the acanthus leaf motif in the interior designs of homes with Classical design and on many public buildings, from the United States Capitol building in Washington, D.C. to the University of Notre Dame

Thru time, the acanthus leaf motif would find its way all the way to the grave, this leaf representing the afterlife and immortality of the soul.

 When you will go to Greece, visit ruins of old Greek temples and palaces. You will find ancient Acanthus motif almost everywhere. I am not suggesting to believe what they believed. Look at work of ancient Greek architects as art. You will witness yourself, there is almost no building from old times without acanthus motif carved on them.

Very interesting development you will find. Century to century you will see a big difference in acanthus design. If You know about Acanthus, you will notice even smallest details. For example, how those artisans carved inner part of a leaf. 

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In this woodcarving course I will show how the most ancient for of Acanthus looked. 

We should understand. Acanthus is not just acanthus. There are many forms of acanthus. 

I was teaching woodcarving class in person in one of a woodworking schools and one person came to me and said. 

- I never thought about acanthus in this perspective. For me Acanthus form is what i saw many times on Chippendale chairs. It is eye opener. 

Greek Acanthus motif differs from Corinth Acanthus motif. And it is absolutely not the same as Roman Acanthus motif. 

What do I mean by that?

HOW DIFERENT ACANTHUS MOTIFS?

You can find a difference in many details. When You look at acanthus, count how many divisions it has? 3 or 5 or 8. By those divisions you already could tell if this acanthus belongs to Greek culture or Roman period. 

in this Course I will explain those differences.