The Ancient of Days

Kansas Study Center

The Masonic Philosophical Society has been growing throughout the world steadily. While we offer many different resources for our members to grow and learn online, there is simply no substitute for attending the Study Center nearest you. When you attend a Study Center of the Masonic Philosophical Society you will have the opportunity, not only to hear from a speaker, but to participate in the dialogue.

Kansas Study Center
14 W. 10th Street, Kansas City, MO
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What are the hidden messages and symbolism in allegorical art?
Date: 3/16/2019 2:30:00 PM
Topic of Study: Art
Presenter: Tracy Leavey
Synopsis: Allegorical art was a frequent form of art used by artists to express religious beliefs, political opinions or personal experience without being forthcoming on their own beliefs and observations. The artist's opinion on such matters may not align with the common practices of the era, so painting with symbolism became a way of creating his story. The hidden message in his work would only become apparent with a deeper study of the artist himself and what symbol he used to represent a subject. Everyone loves a good story, right? Perhaps the story gets more interesting because we need to interpret the symbolism or maybe the work of art gets more interesting because we know there is hidden meaning. Is an allegorical work of art a good analogy of the journey of a Freemason? At this MPS we will dissect and discuss the story being told in several different pieces of art from Renaissance and Contemporary artists.

"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest ... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
Albert Einstien
Physicist
Personal Writings