Capital - Acanthus Leaves in an Array of Vines

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Toulouse's capital, born from the Monastery of La Daurade, boasts a stunning bas-relief of acanthus leaves intertwined with vines in an intricate array. The Musée des Augustins' impressive collection of Romanesque sculpture is comprised mainly of remnants from Toulouse's three most iconic religious structures: the Monastery of La Daurade, the Collegiate Church of Saint Sernin and Saint Etienne Cathedral. A deliberate choice made by clerics - monks or canons - responsible for maintaining these sacred sites led to the construction of practical convent buildings, organized around expansive cloisters adorned with simple or elaborate sculpture. As Toulouse's status as a powerful county's capital and rapidly growing economic, political, and religious hub flourished in the 11th and 12th centuries, the city enjoyed an ideal environment for the emergence of an innovative art movement. The exceptional quality, diversity, and enduring legacy of this movement firmly establish Toulouse among the leading centers of Romanesque art. Consequently, the works displayed at the Musée des Augustins serve as pivotal milestones in the history of sculpture.