Byzantijns reliëf van Maria met kind uit de Sint-Pauluskathedraal in Luik, opgesteld op een tentoonstelling over religieuze objecten uit de middeleeuwen en renaissance in 1864 in Mechelen 1864

This is Joseph Maes' photograph of a Byzantine relief depicting Mary and the child Jesus, taken in 1864 during an exhibition of religious objects in Mechelen. Consider the 19th-century context of this image. Photography was still a relatively new medium, often employed to document and classify objects of cultural and historical significance. Here, we see more than mere documentation. Maes captures not just the relief, but also the aura of religious devotion and historical reverence surrounding it. Think about how the Byzantine era, with its rich artistic and religious traditions, held a certain mystique for 19th-century Europeans. The image presents a visual echo of centuries of artistic and religious practices. This photograph invites us to contemplate the enduring power of religious imagery, its capacity to evoke emotion and inspire devotion across different eras and cultures. It serves as a reminder of how art can connect us to the past, offering glimpses into the beliefs, values, and artistic sensibilities of bygone eras.