Annuit Coeptis – God Approves Our Undertakings 

Mark Beck painted this enigmatic portrait, "Annuit Coeptis," at the turn of our century. The most striking element is the figure's gesture: a finger pressed to her lips, a universal call for silence. This motif echoes through time, from ancient depictions of Harpocrates, the god of silence, to more modern uses in Masonic symbolism. Here, it evokes a sense of mystery and hidden knowledge. In the ancient world, silence was often associated with sacred rites and esoteric wisdom, suggesting that some truths are best kept veiled. Yet, the modern use of the gesture has taken on a different meaning, often used to suppress or control information, as a means to disempower. The artist layers symbolic meaning with fragments of familiar iconography, engaging our collective memory and subconscious. It becomes a powerful visual reminder of how images and symbols can be reinterpreted and imbued with new meaning. The call for silence becomes a potent symbol capable of engaging viewers on a subconscious level.