Drieluik van ivoor met voorstellingen uit het Nieuwe Testament en drie andere religieuze objecten van ivoor, opgesteld op een tentoonstelling over religieuze objecten uit de middeleeuwen en renaissance in 1864 in Mechelen 1864

Captured by Joseph Maes in 1864, this photograph presents a triptych and religious objects carved from ivory, displayed at a medieval and Renaissance exhibition in Mechelen. The triptych, central to our view, showcases scenes from the New Testament, echoing motifs found in Byzantine icons and Gothic altarpieces. Consider, if you will, the figure holding a staff—a symbol of guidance and authority, reminiscent of the scepters of ancient rulers. The gesture of blessing, often seen in religious art, recurs across cultures, embodying protection. These archetypal images invoke a deep-seated sense of continuity, tapping into our collective memory. The symbolism is not static; it evolves. The staff, once a sign of pastoral care in early Christian art, transforms into a symbol of temporal power during the Middle Ages. Such shifts reveal how cultural anxieties and societal changes affect the visual language of faith. These enduring symbols provoke profound emotional responses, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. They remind us that images are not merely representations but active agents that connect us to a rich, evolving cultural history.