The Nebraska Masonic Foundation
A Tradition of Education and Charity
One of the important Masonic artifacts owned by the Nebraska Masonic Foundation Library and Museum is a bespoke oil portrait of the first Grand Master of Masons of Nebraska, MWB Robert Carrel Jordan.
This portrait was gifted to the Grand Lodge of Nebraska in 1884 by an Omaha artist and has been in storage and poorly maintained for the last 138 years. Over that time, the frame had been broken, holes torn in the canvas and the colors had faded from time and dirt.
The Nebraska Masonic Foundation recently undertook a restoration project to recover this important piece of our Masonic past and is now offering a limited number of high-quality prints of the restored painting to the Craft.
The History of the Portrait
From the 1883 – 1884 Proceedings:
An oil painting by Mrs. Edwin Davis of Omaha of Robert C. Jordan, Nebraska’s first Grand Master, was presented to the Grand Lodge by Past Grand Master George Lininger on her behalf.
In a resolution of thanks, the Grand Lodge said the painting would “remind us of the wisdom, fidelity and zeal that he always displayed in the earlier days of our history.”
The Restoration of the Portrait
Working with Metro Gallery, Lincoln, NE, the Nebraska Masonic Foundation teamed up with noted local artist Faridun Zoda, a master of painting and restoration to bring this important painting back to life.
After a thorough examination of the painting’s issues such as the faded and decayed coloring around the eyes of MWB Jordan, Mr. Zoda assured us he could return the painting to its original glory.
The Results
After several weeks of concentrated effort on the painting, Mr. Zoda managed to clean, recolor the painting and even fix the damaged original frame from 1884. The restored painting now has depth, detail and color that simply no longer existed before the restoration. This portrait is once again a fitting honor to our first Grand Master!
ACT NOW TO GET YOUR LIMITED EDITION PRINT!
Only 25 prints have been made of this historically important Masonic artifact!
In order to offset the cost of the restoration, the Nebraska Masonic Foundation is pleased to offer a limited number of prints to the Craft.
Each numbered print is on high-quality, acid-free paper suitable for framing and comes with a numbered and signed certificate of authenticity. The print is 16” x 20” which is the perfect size for your lodge, office, or home.