The Art and Architecture of Freemasonary

About this book

Due to the secrecy of Masonic society the members heavily relied upon symbols and icons to communicate. This groundbreaking study details the secret societys influence on modern American and European aesthetics. In its own way this book may be one of the most important contributions to an understanding of Western art and will be invaluable to architects artists and anyone interested in the esoteric ideas and iconography of Freemasonry. Concepts such as death trial and descent into the depths are prevalent in Masonic architecture and have permeated the designs of parks gardens and cemeteries for centuries. Architectural history professor James Stevens Curl also looks at the way Masonic ideas have permeated other art forms from literature to the performing arts where operas like Mozarts The Magic Flute used Masonic elements in everything from the characters names to the music to the stage designs-the original drawings of which are included here. The 190 exceptional illustrations are accompanied by detailed informative captions.