Masonic Temple - Charter Oak Lodge No. 58/Video

Masonic Temple - Charter Oak Lodge No. 58/Video

Freemasonry in arts
Trompe l'oeil painting

Freemasons belong to the oldest fraternal organization in the world. Although the exact date is unknown, it is belived that it begun during the Middle Ages. The oldest surviving document, called the Regius Poem, dates back to 1390. The Masonic fraternity spread to America in the 1700s, and it flourished with hundreds of lodges being built in the United States. Masons helped to create a safety net for people to better their lives through self-improvement, financial assistance and social engagement. Today it remains a social and philanthropic organization with about 4 million Freemasons worldwide.

The Charter Oak Lodge Masonic temple was completed in 1859. The wall murals were painted by Phillip A. Butler, an itinerant artist, in the trompe l'oeil style which is a French term meaning optical illusion. Images of classic sculptures, architectural details and Masonic symbols are incorporated into the paintings. The lodge is still used today by the Masons for monthly meetings. Freemasonry is divided into three stages or degrees: Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and Master Mason.

Stevens, Amanda

Unpublished

Butler, Phillip A.

No rights - United States

mp4

eng

Moving image

COL012

New Hampshire, Effingham

mp4

2 minutes , 24 seconds

Stevens, Amanda