Freemasonry in the Visual Arts
"To please the accomplished scholar and the ingenious artist, Masonry is wisely planned; and in the investigation of its latent doctrines, the sage philosopher will experience delight and satisfaction."
William Preston
Illustrations of Masonry, 1774
Early Frontispieces
It was a common feature of older books to feature an engraving opposite the title page. This is called a frontispiece, and many of the important Masonic books of the 1700s featured one. It is clear that they were very carefully designed, and are presented here for further study.
- Frontispiece of Anderson's Constitutions - 1723
- Frontispiece to Smith's Pocket Companion - 1734
- Frontispiece to Langley's The Builder's Jewel - 1741
- Frontispiece to Dassigny's Serious and Impartial Inquiry - 1744
- Frontispiece to Scott's Pocket Companion - 1754
- Frontispiece of Constitutions, 3rd Ed. - 1756
- Frontispiece of the Freemason's Calendar - 1775
- The Genius of Masonry - 1784 (This is the background image of our website.)
- The Harris Constitutions - 1798
- Harris' Discourses - 1801
- Dunham's Vocal Companion - 1802
- Cross' True Masonic Chart - 1819
Tracing Boards
In many parts of the world, tracing boards are used to provide a focus for Masonic discussions and meditation. Those presented here are for general education purposes only.
- Masons Studying a Tracing Board - 1791
- Apprentice Tracing Board - Josiah Bowring - 1819
- Apprentice Tracing Board - John Harris - 1825
- Fellow Craft Tracing Board - Josiah Bowring (1819
- Fellow Craft Boards - John Harris - 1825 & 1845
- Master Mason Tracing Board - Josiah Bowring - 1819
- Master Mason Boards - John Harris - 1825 & 1845
- The Kirkwall Floorcloth - date uncertain
Misc.
- Iñigo Jones' Triumphal Arch for James I - 1604
- Allegory of Geometry - 1615
- A Free Mason Form'd from the Materials of His Lodge - 1754
- Symbolic Jewel with Hermetic Influence - 1755
- Solomon and the Queen of Sheba - 1760
- Hieroglyphica - 1785
- George Washington Triumphant - 1795