The restoration proposal approved by the Dominican Monumental Heritage Department includes converting the cloister and courtyard into a multiple-purpose area that will serve as venue for receptions, concerts, lectures, exhibits, etc.Saturday, January 31, 2009
Cloister restoration plan
The cloister of the Former Mercedarian Monastery is one of the most important architectural monuments in the Colonial City of Santo Domingo. The large courtyard within the cloister is approximately 4000 square feet in size.
The restoration proposal approved by the Dominican Monumental Heritage Department includes converting the cloister and courtyard into a multiple-purpose area that will serve as venue for receptions, concerts, lectures, exhibits, etc.
The restoration proposal approved by the Dominican Monumental Heritage Department includes converting the cloister and courtyard into a multiple-purpose area that will serve as venue for receptions, concerts, lectures, exhibits, etc.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Frescos by Spanish muralist Jose Vela Zanetti
Distinguished Spanish painter and muralist Jose Vela Zanetti came to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the 1940s escaping the regime of dictator Francisco Franco. When Cuna de America Lodge No. 2 commissioned him to paint frescos on the walls of its Temple Room, little did he know this would signify the launching of a career as a professional muralist that would gain him international acclaim, to the extent of being hired to paint the fresco in the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York City.
The young refugee painted the first frescos ever in his artistic career in this Masonic Temple room. His work here depicts several aspects of Masonic tradition and legend which are noteworthy. One portion shows masons using their working tools to build the temple. Another shows Master Architect Hiram Abif overlooking the construction of Solomon's temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
A third panel depicts the despair of the workers upon the loss of their Master. 
The fourth panel, which is in most need of intervention by conservationists, shows the masons in procession back to Jerusalem with the body of their Master.
The last panel depicts the destruction of the temple.
The artist was so touched by this commission he later petitioned and was approved to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice in this lodge.
The young refugee painted the first frescos ever in his artistic career in this Masonic Temple room. His work here depicts several aspects of Masonic tradition and legend which are noteworthy. One portion shows masons using their working tools to build the temple. Another shows Master Architect Hiram Abif overlooking the construction of Solomon's temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem.
A third panel depicts the despair of the workers upon the loss of their Master. 
The fourth panel, which is in most need of intervention by conservationists, shows the masons in procession back to Jerusalem with the body of their Master.
The last panel depicts the destruction of the temple.
The artist was so touched by this commission he later petitioned and was approved to be initiated as an Entered Apprentice in this lodge.
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