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ROYAL ART.info |
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Copyright © 2006-2008 © -ROYAL ART.info - All rights reserved To contact Webmaster please write to: pastmaster@royalart.info |
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Illustrations from the Albert Mackey’s Encyclopedia of Freemasonry ( Published in 1921 by the Masonic History Company, Chicago, New York, London) depicting seven gracious women symbolizing Faith, Hope, Charity, and the “four cardinal virtues”: Prudence, Temperance, Fortitude, and Justice. |
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MASONIC ART
There are two mayor sections of the vast field of creative expressions we refer to as Masonic Art. One that is more obvious, particularly to Freemasons, is the art made for Freemasonry; to decorate exterior and interior of the Masonic Halls, furnishing, Masonic Regalia, jewelry, books, and clothes, or to illustrate symbolism and teachings of Freemasonry, either visually, with sounds or in words. The purpose of this art is, not only to bring delight to the eyes, ears, or mind of the Freemasons, but also to help them better understand symbolism and lessons of the Craft. The second section, less obvious, and generally less known, is the art made by artists in various fields, that was inspired by the symbolism and philosophy of Masonry. The most prominent works in this section were paintings of William Blake and William Hogarth, music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Jan Sibelius, writings of Goethe and Rudyard Kipling, poems of Lessing, Robert Burns, and Alexander Pope, architecture and design of Sir John Soane, sculptures of Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and many others. Today, there is a big number of Freemasons who are artists and express their Masonic understandings through various mediums of art. Often, this is visible only to those familiar with the Masonic symbolism. On this page, we tried to present samples of Masonic art made for Freemasonry, as well as inspired by it. We also have a virtual gallery page directly linked to this page which hosts various artists presenting their Masonic art to on–line public. If you are an artist interested in displaying your work in our virtual gallery contact us at: pastmaster@royalart.info |
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Faith, Hope and Charity were often themes presented on the Masonic Aprons. Here is the French apron from 18th century. |
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Tracing Board of the First Degree (from the front cover of the book Royal Art by S. Nikolic) |
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Hiram Abif—stained glass window made by Tiffany for the Grand Lodge of New York |
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Detail from the column in front of entrance in the Masonic Temple. |
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Chairs with carved Masonic symbols ( probably used as a furniture in the Masonic Lodge) |
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18th century clock designed as two columns and archway, with Masonic symbols decorating front of it. |
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For the Scottish Rite Temple in Washington DC architect John Russell Pope was inspired by the ancient mausoleum at Halikarnassos (circa 352 BC0 |
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Interior of one of the contemporary Lodge rooms in France. |
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Pocket watch with the Masonic working tools as hour marks instead of numbers. Triangular shape of the watch carries Masonic symbolism as well. |
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18th century French porcelain figurines depicting two Freemasons with aprons, leaning on the one of the columns, with the sprig of acacia on the floor and a rose. |
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Fresco on the ceiling of the Lodge room: The Goddess Minerva with Geometry and Arithmetic |
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ART IN THE SERVICE OF FREEMASONRY |
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ART INSPIRED BY FREEMASONRY |
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The designer of the art-work for the one dollar bill was inspired with some elements of the Masonic symbolism. This brought much speculations regarding application of Masonic symbols on the official banknote of the USA Government. It is still a controversial subject for some. |
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The Ancient of Days Measuring Time, 1794 |
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Postal Stamps with the Masonic symbols on it. |
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The Interior of the Wimpolle Hall in Cambridgeshire, GB, designed by Sir John Soane, Grand Master of Works of the UGLE and one of the designers of the Masonic Hall in London. |
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“Jacob’s Ladder” By William Blake |
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Wayfaring Man By Hieronymus Bosch |
