Tamrin
Member
Nosce te ipsum
Posts: 3,586
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Post by Tamrin on May 2, 2009 1:07:38 GMT
Would someone please provide some context for this illustration. (It is from a screen dump off the video clip below, 3:38 / 3:44 minutes into the 8:23 minute clip) Also, does anyone have a copy of the image with better resolution? C.O.T.U.-1x10 Freemason Underground 1/5
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Post by letterorhalveit3 on Nov 6, 2009 11:48:00 GMT
Ill keep researching it but there are some things that offer clues:
1. It would appear to be an "open air" Masonic gathering of some sort, given that all of the men who are visible are wearing aprons. Also we see various working tools laid out in front of them on what appears to be an altar, but upon closer examination may actually be a cornerstone.
2. Could this be a cornerstone laying and if so, where?
3. All of the participants depicted in this engraving appear to be wearing military uniforms of the mid-late 18th century or early 19th century and they appear to be French. There is one man in a Victorian style kilt and sporran so that would throw the time frame off a little.
4. If you look to the background, you see palm trees, obelisks and other symbols of Egypt. Could this be a French military Lodge meeting during the Napoleonic era?
Just some thoughts that perhaps others can add to.
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Tamrin
Member
Nosce te ipsum
Posts: 3,586
|
Post by Tamrin on Nov 7, 2009 11:10:04 GMT
Ill keep researching it but there are some things that offer clues: 1. It would appear to be an "open air" Masonic gathering of some sort, given that all of the men who are visible are wearing aprons. Also we see various working tools laid out in front of them on what appears to be an altar, but upon closer examination may actually be a cornerstone. 2. Could this be a cornerstone laying and if so, where? 3. All of the participants depicted in this engraving appear to be wearing military uniforms of the mid-late 18th century or early 19th century and they appear to be French. There is one man in a Victorian style kilt and sporran so that would throw the time frame off a little. 4. If you look to the background, you see palm trees, obelisks and other symbols of Egypt. Could this be a French military Lodge meeting during the Napoleonic era? Just some thoughts that perhaps others can add to. Many thanks for your carefully considered response Brother. I too feel this has to do with the laying of a cornerstone. The one that most readily comes to mind is that of the US Capitol Building. Given the French alliance and francophile fashion, the outfits would not be out of place in Washington and, as Dan Brown has recently reminded us, the classical architecture features would also be apt there. Moreover, there is what might be an artist's preconception of the intended Capitol at top right and the statue could well represent the Statue of Freedom which was to grace it (I'm guessing the illustration may possibly have been part of a call for submissions to the 1792 design competition). On the altar (which may be doubling as a pedastal on which the statue rests) are the initial "M" and "B" (these can be more clearly seen flickering in and out of focus on the video clip). I would dearly like to know the original source of this outdoor illustration and to obtain a copy with better resolution. I am reminded of the French illustration of another 'masonic' statue: La Maçonnerie Secourant L’Humanité ( Freemasonry Helping Humanity), in which these initials also feature.
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