Abstract

The medals of Spanish Freemasonry, as a sign of identity, expressive frame and communication vehicle, form a unique ensemble in the Masonic art scene. Unlike in other countries such as the United Kingdom and France, the study of Spanish Masonic medals has yet to be completed. One might therefore wonder whether the fact that Spanish Freemasonry had prolonged periods of prohibition and its members were criminalized is a major factor in explaining this gap. The first Spanish documented medals correspond to the lodges attached to The Grand National Lodge of Spain, obedience that was active during the reign of Joseph I. Through different documentary sources, those medals can be reported and studied, as well as open a new window to look out to the beginnings of Spanish Masonic art in order to know the authorship, the vicissitudes and the character of some of its protagonists.

Keywords: Spanish freemasonry; 1809-1812; medal; goldsmith; documentary sources