Sculptuur van gekleurd eikenhout van Maria die monniken en nonnen onder haar mantel verstopt, opgesteld op een tentoonstelling over religieuze objecten uit de middeleeuwen en renaissance in 1864 in Mechelen before 1866

This sculpture of Mary concealing monks and nuns under her cloak was made by Joseph Maes, sometime between his birth in 1838 and his death in 1908. The carving in colored oak shows great skill. Think about the slow, physical process of removing wood bit by bit, revealing the figures within. The folds of Mary's cloak, and the delicate faces of those seeking refuge, highlight the artist’s expertise. Wood, as a material, connects us to the natural world, and the choice of oak, a strong and enduring wood, adds to the sense of protection and resilience in the sculpture. The act of carving transforms a raw material into an object of cultural and spiritual significance. This piece reflects religious devotion, but it also embodies the skill and labor of the artist. It collapses any assumed hierarchy between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the artistry embedded in the making.