Weidemann Art Tour - Floor Three
Exit the elevator on floor three and step out into the lobby.
The Classical Acanthus
Adorning many of the Capitol's walls and ceilings are swirling, spiraling leaf and vine patterns. These patterns feature acanthus leaves.
The acanthus leaf motif was one of the most prevalent elements in Victorian ornament. Made popular during the ancient Greek and Roman periods, the use of acanthus leaves in the Capitol aligns with the building’s neoclassical design, which looks back at the ancients for artistic inspiration.
The acanthus plant is grown widely throughout Mediterranean regions, and its leaves have long been associated with concepts such as healing, immortality, and rebirth, likely due to the medicinal qualities of the plant.
