Eclipse

Eclipse

May 11, 2023 | Masonic Art

MASONIC ART

Eclipse

by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

Painted Knights Templar Apron
This painting is titled “Eclipse” and hails from 2008. It is the middle piece of my three-painting Masonic triptych “Parable of Light and Dark”. On the left side is “Foundations” and on the Right is “Rebirth”. All three together tell one evolving and comprehensive story. In “Foundations” we see the growth of Freemasonry through time. From its legendary beginnings the composition proceeds upwards to the Medieval era with its chivalry and cathedrals.

Image: “Eclipse”, by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

At the top are prominent Masonic figures of literature, music and philosophy; Mozart, Pushkin, Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Voltaire. The middle painting in this group is “Eclipse” (described below). The last painting is “Rebirth” where the ruins are left behind and building finally resumes without interruption. Hiram Abiff and King Solomon appear in all three paintings. The entire triptych “Parable of Light and Dark” was prominently exhibited for eight years at the Chancellor Robert R. Livingston Masonic Library & Museum of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of New York.
Please note that I seldom explain any symbolic meanings in my work. But in the case of this painting I find it helpful to viewers. Eclipse is about individuals who search for light even under the most unfortunate circumstances. They take a unique journey within themselves, a journey that will eventually benefit all humankind.
Overseeing all is the All Seeing Eye of God, Creator of the universe who is the final and ultimate judge of everyone and everything. Troubles lurk below. Time may be running out. Attempts at escape can be futile. Destruction, deformity and death are a result of mindlessness, immorality and idolatry. There are tears and mourning amidst chaos and pandemonium as the earth in revenge, swallows up its inhabitants. But some never learn. Mobs of hysterical fanatics follow false Idols in the form of sweet talking demagogues who enrich themselves by promising empathy, reward, power and glory. The obliteration of history, beauty, compassion and righteousness becomes the result. Whatever is beautiful and constructive they destroy.
Yet amidst the mayhem is Melchizedek from the Book of Genesis. He has two sets of eyes. One pair belongs to the heart and soul. The other pair belongs to the mind. All four together constitute spirituality and wisdom. Melchizedek is of the centuries. He blesses the righteous. Facing in the direction of the light is the Master of a lodge. Beside him are men and women who convey hope, love, beauty, spirituality, art and philosophy. The tattooed man is prepared to do labour. A group of newly made Brothers envision a brighter future ahead while a sympathetic Jester accompanies their vision by playing a warm Masonic melody on his violin. Standing in the light and beside the altar with the Holy Bible on it are King Solomon and Hiram Abiff.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff
Apron of the Rose

Apron of the Rose

Mar 16, 2023 | Masonic Art

MASONIC ART

Apron of the Rose

Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

Painted Knights Templar Apron
Each time I create a painted Masonic Apron, I intend for it to be a statement in more ways than one. In other words I like to meld the great traditions of historic Masonic aprons with my own feelings and ideas as an artist. This way the great Masonic history of aprons is being brought into the here and now and therefore also into the future. For me to merely imitate the old aprons would not be achieving anything because those old aprons stand quite well on their own. My aim is to contribute by not abandoning a most inspiring and profound tradition.
Image: “Apron of the Rose”, Painted Masonic Apron by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
One of the things I very much like about Freemasonry is that symbols can be interpreted in different and also intimately personal ways. Masonic iconography seems to have a special strength which speaks to both the heart and mind. Rather than me explaining any meanings behind this particular artwork, I will leave it to the viewer to interpret it as they see it. Frankly, I feel this way about much of my work. And Masonry actually confirms my approach as a painter.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff
Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

Jan 19, 2022 | Masonic Art, Masonic History

MASONIC ART

Hiram’s Apron with King Solomon

by brother ari roussimoff

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.

 

Masonic Apron

Researched and written by the Brothers of the Craftsmen Online Editorial Staff

Content is property of Craftsmen Online and cannot be used, copied, or quoted in any manner without the express, written permission of Craftsmen Online.

“Obligations”

“Obligations”

Dec 19, 2021 | Masonic Art, Masonic History

MASONIC ART

Obligations

by brother ari roussimoff

AS THE SUN DESCENDS, THE MOON ASCENDS.

Obligations is the title of this, my most recently completed painted Masonic Apron. Colour plays an important factor here. I wanted a colour scheme that appears magical and also mystical in order to compliment the symbolic elements of the composition. This work can be described as a statement about human beings, devotion and spirituality. As the Moon ascends, the Sun descends. Yet both are sources of light and both offer illumination. To those who might be interested, please note that since this painted Apron is new and has not yet been put on the market, it is available for purchase. It is the only Roussimoff apron now available.

 

Researched and written by the Brothers of the Craftsmen Online Editorial Staff

Content is property of Craftsmen Online and cannot be used, copied, or quoted in any manner without the express, written permission of Craftsmen Online.

Masonic Melody

Masonic Melody

Oct 21, 2021 | Masonic Art

MASONIC ART

Masonic Melody 

by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

This work was painted in 2006. In the year 2013, the Grand Lodge of New York sponsored a large exhibition of my paintings at Masonic Hall that consisted of both my Masonic and other subjects. This painting was among the featured artworks. At the time, many brothers asked me if it represented the Royal Order of Jesters. Although it does not, I welcome anyone to interpret it’s meanings in whichever way they perceive them. Symbolism is sometimes similar to beauty in that what one sees is usually in the eye of the beholder.

Painted Knights Templar Apron

 

 

MASONIC MELODY,
by Bro. Ari Roussimoff

 

 

Music is an essential element here. Freemasonry in my view is musical. It is akin to a vast symphonic composition with limitless numbers of beautiful musical notes. The Medieval Court Jester is a person with many sides to him, yet he is fully aware of his purposes in life. The figure of justice may be blind, but she is also voluptuous, as the truths she bears are meant to attract. On the top right is a symbolic Masonic Lodge. Being out in the open and under the big sky, this Lodge represents the universality of the Craft. There are many degrees and rites with people of all sizes and nations who have joined together. In this section I also rendered the likenesses of two famous historic brothers. The dwarf is Charles S. Stratton, protégée of P. T. Barnum and who is better known as the legendary General Tom Thumb. Beside him is the giant John Aasen who was with the Ringling Brothers Circus and appeared in many Hollywood films.

On the bottom left corner is Hiram Abiff with an Acacia twig above him. Among the various other symbolic elements, you also see three heads appearing on the Jester’s sleeve. These same three heads reappear inside the right eye socket of the skull, just as musical notes consistently reappear in one big musical composition.

Written by Bro. Ari Roussimoff
www.Roussimoff.com
Consolidated Lodge #31 F. & A.M.
Manhattan, New York

Bro Ari Roussimoff