Abstract

Despite its importance, Freemasonry in the art of the Baroque Mexico is absent in historiography, though there are enough elements to believe that despite all the obstacles faced, developments in art and society can be linked to Masonic culture since the end of the seventeenth century and early eighteenth century. Masonic concepts such as the Great architect of the universe, the representation of the Saints crowned, the presence of iconographic symbols such as the square, compass and Plumb, as well as the portrait of a novohispano architect as a master mason, lead us to explore that possibility. All of this considered within a social and artistic context must take into account the trade crisis and the existence of a titled Brotherhood of our Lady of joys and Santos architects. In this article I present advancements of a broader investigation that I'm developing on this important issue.

Key words: Baroque; iconography; Masonic culture