The Art and Architecture of Freemasonry

Book excerpt: This fascinating study details the Masonic society's influence on the modern American and European aesthetic world. Although Masonry dates from the Middle Ages, its influence in art and architecture reached its peak in the neoclassical architecture of the 18th century. Architectural history professor Curl (Leicester Polytechnic, England) also looks at the way Masonic ideas have permeated other art forms from literature to the performing arts. The 190 exceptional illustrations (including 11 color plates) are accompanied by detailed, informative captions, and a glossary of terms explains the complex ideas and iconography of Freemasonry. Annotation copyright by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR