Twee zilveren monstransen met relikwieën, opgesteld op een tentoonstelling over religieuze objecten uit de middeleeuwen en renaissance in 1864 in Mechelen before 1866

Joseph Maes created this work in 1864, capturing two silver monstrances with relics as they were displayed in an exhibition in Mechelen. The photograph emphasizes a contrast between the intricate detail of the religious objects and the stark simplicity of the photographic medium. The composition is structured around the vertical orientation of the monstrances, each exhibiting a complex arrangement of forms. The upper monstrance, taller and more ornate, features a spire-like structure and circular elements. The other features a radial symmetry, with lanceolate shapes around a central element. Maes’s choice to present these objects in a flattened, almost diagrammatic way, invites us to consider the symbolic significance of their design. Through the formal rendering of these sacred objects, Maes implicitly engages with the concept of representation itself. The photograph captures not just the physical likeness, but also prompts reflection on how objects of faith are translated and interpreted across different cultural and historical contexts. The artwork's strength lies in its capacity to provoke a continuous cycle of inquiry and interpretation.