Allegorie op de Vrijmetselarij 1829 - 1878

Editor: This is "Allegorie op de Vrijmetselarij," an engraving by Johannes Henderikus Morriën, likely created sometime between 1829 and 1878. It's absolutely packed with imagery, all rendered in very fine lines. It feels very… structured, almost like a diagram. What strikes you about this piece? Curator: For me, it's about understanding this print as a product of its time. Look at the very means of its production: engraving. This wasn't just about depicting symbolism; it was about a specific type of labor. Each line, each shape meticulously carved. Editor: So, you're saying the medium is integral to the message? Curator: Exactly! This print wasn't meant to be a unique art object in the modern sense, but a disseminable item for members. Consider who would have consumed it. The meticulous nature of the engraving speaks to the values of Freemasonry at that time: order, precision, and craftmanship, all embodied in the manual work required to produce this. Editor: That makes sense. It connects the artistry to the organization's principles and to a whole network of commerce. Curator: Think of it like a form of visual merchandising. Also, notice how the print appropriates architectural and geometric forms; the labor of building is elevated. Editor: Are you suggesting that, by making the work accessible through print, Morriën democratized some aspects of what was otherwise exclusive? Curator: I am. The consumption of this imagery played a role in solidifying a shared identity. Editor: That really shifts how I see the image, thinking about its distribution and the work that went into its production and what it might tell us about their practices and priorities. Thank you! Curator: And, for me, seeing your curiosity, it opens the possibility of what this print *could* mean.