William Morris Acanthus Portiere 1890 Art Print

William Morris Acanthus Art Print

Acanthus is among the grandest and most architecturally bold of all William Morris's designs — a sweeping, densely woven pattern of acanthus leaves, birds and flowering plants that demonstrates Morris's mastery of complex repeat patterning at its peak.

About the design

First designed in 1875 as a woven wool tapestry and later produced as a wallpaper and portière (door curtain), Acanthus draws on the classical acanthus leaf motif that Morris encountered in medieval tapestries and Byzantine decorative art. Morris 

transformed this ancient motif into something characteristically his own — layering birds among the foliage, adding depth through a rich palette of forest green, russet, gold and cream, and creating a repeat pattern of extraordinary density and visual richness.

The design is one of the most complex Morris & Co. ever produced and one of the most celebrated. It features in the V&A's permanent collection and is widely considered one of the defining works of the British Arts and Crafts Movement.

About this print

Our Acanthus art print is giclée printed on 250gsm museum-grade acid-free paper in our Leicestershire studio, using archival eco inks that capture the full depth and richness of Morris's original palette. Every print is made to order, with zero waste.

Print details

• Giclée printed on 250gsm museum-grade acid-free paper
• Archival eco inks — colour-fast and fade-resistant
• Available in five sizes: A5, A4, A3, A2 and A1
• Unframed — arrives rolled in a protective tube, ready to frame
• Standard A-size frames fit perfectly — available from IKEA, Dunelm and M&S
• Printed to order in our Leicestershire studio

How to style it

Acanthus is a statement piece that commands attention — best suited to a feature wall, above a fireplace, or as the centrepiece of a gallery wall in a living room, hallway or study. The deep, rich palette suits traditional interiors beautifully, but the graphic boldness also works in contemporary spaces where you want a strong visual anchor. A dark frame — black or antique bronze — enhances the depth of the design.