Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

My very first painting to be devoted exclusively to a Masonic theme was titled Hiram’s Apron (now in a collection in Japan). It made its public debut at the Chancellor Robert. R. Livingston Masonic Library and Museum where it was prominently exhibited for several years. The metaphor of Hiram pointing towards his Apron against a background showing civilization in transition has been the subject of several of my paintings. In my view, the symbolic meanings behind the picture are a major component of Masonic philosophy and teachings. In a nutshell, people of all backgrounds, without ever abandoning their own individuality, have come together to mutually build a better world. It is all about life, obligations, responsibility, faith, love, brother and sisterhood, death and eventually the hereafter when everyone must face the consequences of how they chose to live their lives.

To emphasize both a humanity and universality of the person and the ideals, I change the physical appearance of Hiram in each of my representations of him. My second version of Hiram’s Apron was chosen to represent Freemasonry on an official government issued postage stamp for the country of Benin. Here now on Craftsmen Online, you are seeing the third version of the Hiram’s Apron theme where I have added the figure of King Solomon since his role was pivotal to everything that transpired. Incidentally, this particular painting of Hiram Abiff with King Solomon was featured in the 2013 retrospective three week exhibition of my artwork held in the French Doric Room of Masonic Hall of the Grand Lodge of New York on 23rd Street in Manhattan.