19 East – All-Seeing Eye
Mary M. Detlefs – Donor
The Eye of Providence or the All-Seeing Eye of God is a figure that depicts an eye, often enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of light or glory, meant to represent divine providence whereby the eye of God watches over humanity.
In 1782, the Eye of Providence was adopted as part of the symbolism featured on the reverse side of the Great Seal of the United States. It was first proposed as an element of the Great Seal by the first of three design committees in 1776, and is thought to be the suggestion of the artistic consultant, Pierre Eugene du Simitiere, and at the time, was a conventional symbol for God’s benevolent oversight.
In Masonic use, the Eye, representing the all-seeing eye of God, serves as a reminder that humanity’s thoughts and deeds are always observed by God — who is referred to in Masonry as the Great Architect of the Universe. Typically, the Masonic Eye of Providence has a semicircular glory below it, and is sometimes enclosed by a triangle. The eye in this panel has rays above and below it which might seem to negate the Masonic reference, but on close inspection, the pupil is depicted by the Masonic symbols of the compass and square.
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten in God’s sight. —Luke 12:6