Diploma of Free Masons of Bordeaux
Original title: Diploma of Free Masons of Bordeaux
kurzbeschreibung
Pierre Philippe Choffard produced this allegorical print, the Diplom der Freimaurer von Bordeaux, in 1765–66. Executed in etching and engraving, it places a crowned female figure at its center, surrounded by putti bearing Masonic symbols. The sheet most likely served a lodge in Bordeaux as an official membership document.
Description
A woman wearing a crown sits on a raised dais draped with a curtain and cloth. Numerous putti crowd around her, presenting Masonic emblems such as a measuring tape and compasses that rest on the crown. Along the lower edge, more putti have settled on the ground and are busy painting or writing. Columns and a landscape behind them evoke a celestial, regal mood. The layout is symmetrical, the figures clearly outlined, and the whole remains monochrome in shades of gray.
Context
Choffard made the diploma in 1765–66 on commission from a Masonic lodge in Bordeaux. Such certificates served as official documents of admission or membership and were often given allegorical decoration. The artist was a renowned French engraver and illustrator of the eighteenth century. Since Freemasonry was flourishing in France at the time, demand grew for representative prints.
Impact
Balanced and dignified, the sheet appears so thanks to its symmetrical arrangement and clear figure drawing. Baroque handling of light and shadow bathes the scene in a solemn, almost sacred atmosphere. The allegorical elements underscore the elevated significance of Freemasonry and lend the diploma authority.
Technique
Etching and engraving on paper are combined here. Etching allows fine, flowing lines, while engraving adds precise details and firm contours. The monochrome gray palette suits these printmaking techniques and strengthens the graphic effect.
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Source: Metropolitan Museum of Art · Public Domain (CC0 1.0)