Freemason´s lodge by Engelbrecht

FREEMASON´S LODGE. ENGELBRECHT, MART.(IN). Perspectivische Vorstellung einer Freimaurer Loge.
No place or Year (Augsburg about 1750).

Set of 8 engraved mounted cut away sheets, measuring about 95x144 mm., with contemporary handcolouring, mounted in a later (20th century) leporello album, marbled boards, blank spine.

A fine series depicting a Freemasons´ Lodge not long after its general adoption in Europe. The cut aways depict, [1] a group of five masons, one seated reading a book one with a square in his hand looking towards an a armillary, [2] four seated masons with their backs to the viewer, and four standing, two, each with a pair of compasses to hand measuring points on a globe, [3] to the left, a group of three conversing a mason seated at a table deep in contemplative thought with compasses in hand and to the right a group at a table with green cloth discussing the significance of the trowel and square [4] The high table with the Grand Master seated in the centre on an elaborate throne with a group of nine other masons each contemplating or holding a Masonic symbol, in the coved ceiling above the group a decorative Masonic trophy, [5] a group of 10 gentlemen observing the rituals [6], a flaming furnace set within an alcove with stairs leading to another level. There is also an engraved handcoloured title, with in lower margin C. P. Maj 15 Mart. Engelbrecht excud. A. V. and a handcoloured engraving with some of the other engravings collected into one plate.

Martin Engelbrecht (16 September 1684, Augsburg - 18 January 1756, Augsburg) was a German Baroque engraver and publisher.
"A celebrated engraver of his time, Engelbrecht dominated the print trade in Augsburg. Best known for his portraits of monarchs as well as his intricate landscapes, Engelbrecht´s work is beyond compare. Some of his best work was with optical prints. He used these in his perspective boxes and miniature theatres. Typically 8 cards would be inserted into a peepbox, consecutively, which provided imagery similar to that of a theatre scene, or play. The view had great perspective. (The History of the Discovery of Cinematography).

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