Saturday, January 10, 2015

The Manitoba Legislative Building Tour: The Mural

On the south wall of the rotunda hangs a large mural by Frank Brangwyn. Frank, a Brit, was a famous muralist at the time.  The actual mural was being re-touched when I was there.  


So, these are images of a much smaller copy. And, when I took the photo, I did not use a flash.  So the images are a bit difficult to see.   However, there is a tremendous amount of symbolism in the mural. 
 
It initially appears to be a scene from WWI.  Clearly the Doughboys are in front.  On the left, helmeted soldiers dig trenches.  On the right a group of soldiers eat and drink.  And, in the center, a man in a tattered robe (perhaps a wounded soldier?) is helped along by another soldier.


 
But, if you look closely above the man in the tatterred robe , there is a faint image of the Madonna and Child.  With that perspective, the wounded soldier could be Jesus, and the fallen tree behind him represents the cross.  This could easily be a representation of the Passion of Christ.  
 
Additionally, others have suggested what you are seeing is also a representation of the Masonic Lodge initiation ceremony.
 
I hope to get back there to see the restored painting! 

 

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