Rare 18th Century Masonic Painting "Freemasonry a Secret Unveiled"

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Rare 18th Century Masonic Painting "Freemasonry a Secret Unveiled"

About the Item

This historically rare important masonic painting by 18th century Dutch painter Jan Punt is presently on a view in the Dutch museum in Gorinchem and depicts 3 putti lecturing philosophically on architecture, the different styles of building; with the aid of a drawing board, compasses, a square and a 24” gauge. In memory of Jan Punt and to pay homage to his ideas, please read on, MH. has named this recently discovered unique historic painting by him: "FREEMASONRY A SECRET UNVEILED." May 11th 1772. Shortly it will be almost 2 1/2 century ago that Amsterdam, the then famous capital of The United Provinces of The Netherlands in the middle of the Golden Age, was hit hard by a fatal calamity towards the end of the performance of May 11th; the theater on level with the present house number of 384 Keizersgracht - presently the 'Dylan Boutique Hotel' - Amsterdam, caught fire and was ablaze in little time; the rubble of the Theater's interior, burned down to the ground, had to be carefully sifted searching for the jewelry of the deceased as no less than 18 (!) people perished in this devilish inferno, making this fire of the Amsterdam theatre into a Classic drama! All paintings by theater director / scene painter / artist Jan Punt stored on the first floor of the theater burned completely in this blaze despite all brave efforts by Jan Punt and his men to save anything at all of his lifework or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ? More than 2 centuries later the " Witje" in the present case, what appears to be part of one of Punt's saved stage decorations, emerges from the estate of Aberson Fine Arts & Antiques, The Netherlands, painted by the very Jan Punt in the style of his teacher Jacob deWit (Amsterdam 1695-1754) after him this kind of painting is called "Witje". This is a historic discovery inot only of great significance/importance to, to name but a few: freemasons, to the City of Amsterdam, to Theater lovers, to art- collectors, historians and architects all-over the world, specifically all Americans not in the least to the " Dylan Boutique Hotel erected on the very place the Amsterdam Theater was once situated in the 18th century. This recently professionally restored painting by Jan Punt bears witness to the association of philosophical ideas, topical on both sides of the Ocean in that period of enlightenment; The painting by Jan Punt ( 1711- 1778' 67x 58 cm. ex frame ) lower left signature J.P. Fecit and a lion's head / skin & bludgeon symbolizing Herculean strength; lower right the famous work " De Arcitectura " by Roman architect Vitruvius and a Classic work on the five orders of Architecture by the Amsterdam municipal mason Symon Bosboom (1614-1668) Based Upon the translation of a work by Vincenzo Scamozzi (1552-1616); Bosboom treats the Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Roman and Corinthian orders and the corresponding portals etc." What message did Jan Punt want to convey tó or indeed share with his public: Freedom, Fraternity, And Equality: more or less as forerunners to the Four Freedoms of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 speech. In the opinion of Monumenta Historica Jan Punt, being a Freemason living in the middle of the Century of enlightenment, also wanted to point out to his public, mindful of what had become known as " The Vitruviusman , think about Michelangelo , that a house or indeed a new society - did Punt refer here to the new nation America ? - should be solidly built according to human values & measurements ( sic !) cf. De Corbusier's "Modulor" from more than a century later! Since 1999 the completely destroyed former theater's interior has been rebuilt and transformed into ' The Dylan Boutique Hotel' “; as only the magnificent doorway survived the fire it was used again for the Boutique hotel (see photos) It is inescapable that Jan Punt with this work refers to his recent inauguration in Freemasonry (1764) in one of the oldest masonic lodges in the world " LA Paix" in Amsterdam, in those days of Enlightenment a meeting place for travelling intellectuals. Further, it stands to reason, all founding members and signatories of the Declaration of Independence being freemasons , that John Adams has been in an early stage in close contact with his fellow-freemasons in The Netherlands. paying homage to " Concordia res parvae crescunt" (Union is strength), the motto of The United Provinces of The Netherlands. Wouldn’t it be great at this moment in time for history’s sake, as research to this effect continues, to assume that John Adams, who stayed in The United Provinces ever since the beginning of the 18th century (later he became president of the United States) and in 1782 appointed America's first minister plenipotentiary to Holland got all necessary financial help from his masonic brethren. For soon already came formal recognition for America: Preamble / PROTO HISTORY TO THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDANCE. as a separate and independent nation by the United provinces of The Netherlands along with badly needed financial help that indicates faith in America's future. The loans from Friesland and Holland, which have been called the “Marshal plan avant la lettre" were the first the new government received. Incidentally George C. Marshal was also a freemason. It is well-known that 'the Prince of Orange, heir of king William III of England had his seat in Leeuwarden, the then capital of Friesland, was also a freemason. The East India Company V.O.C was at the top of its worldwide power, - trade and the arts flourished, rich merchant-bankers and merchants stood at the basis of the new nation at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, The United States of America. In what way the former Dutch colonies still played a role is hard to tell. "Should your interest be for a society, club or commercially it is always worthwhile to contact MH's "Antiques Lease Division" "Monumenta Historica has gratefully granted a request by the management of the Museum in Gorinchem - a small pretty little antique city in The Netherlands - to loan some of the rare masonic items from her present 1stdibs-collection for an exposition on 200 years Freemasonry in Gorinchem. "FREEMASONS, A secret unveiled". Herewith these items indeed deserve the honourable epitheton: "Museum Piece." Should you be interested to visit the exposition please drop us a line with your emaladdress; we will be pleased to give you a guided tour,

Creator:
Jan Punt (Artist)
Dimensions:
Height: 26.38 in (67 cm)Width: 22.84 in (58 cm)Depth: 0.79 in (2 cm)
Style:
Baroque (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Linen,Painted
Place of Origin:
Netherlands
Period:
1760-1769
Date of Manufacture:
1764-1772
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Werkendam, NL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU101581355442