Acanthus Leaf Frieze Design
1749â61
Classification
Bound print
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-213-3
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Created by the French artist Alexis Peyrotte between 1749 and 1761, this Acanthus Leaf Frieze Design showcases the enduring appeal of classical ornament in eighteenth-century Europe. Peyrotte, active during the reign of Louis XV, contributed to the rich tradition of decorative pattern books that circulated among artisans, architects, and patrons. The acanthus leaf, with its deeply lobed and curling foliage, has symbolized vitality and elegance since ancient Greek and Roman times, and its appearance here reflects the period’s fascination with refined natural forms. As a bound print now held in...