Diploma van de Vrijmetselaarsloge "l'Union Royale" te Den Haag 1774

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue created this Masonic diploma for the "l'Union Royale" lodge in The Hague. Though undated, it offers insights into the Freemasonry of the 18th century, a time of both enlightenment and entrenched social hierarchies. The diploma, with its columns, checkered floor, and celestial imagery, speaks to the Masonic ideals of reason and harmony. Yet, these lodges, while advocating for enlightenment principles, were often exclusive, primarily catering to white, upper-class men. The presence of cherubic figures might evoke a sense of universal brotherhood, but it also glosses over the stark realities of inequality that marked the period. The diploma is more than just a document; it’s a symbol of a complex historical moment, one where progressive ideals coexisted with social exclusion, reminding us of the contradictions inherent in the pursuit of enlightenment during the 1700s.