Houten sculptuur van engelen en Maria met kind door vermoedelijk Charles Geerts, tentoongesteld op de Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations van 1851 in Londen 1851

This wooden sculpture of angels and Mary with child was made by Charles Geerts, and exhibited at the Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations in London in 1851. Held in the Crystal Palace, the Great Exhibition was meant to showcase the industrial achievements of different nations. This sculpture, with its religious subject matter, would have sat in stark contrast to the mass-produced goods and technological innovations on display. We see the way that religious art was being viewed at the time. Was it a relic of the past, or something that could be reconciled with the modern world? The sculpture itself, with its intricate details and delicate carving, speaks to the skill and artistry of Geerts, suggesting an attempt to ennoble the act of craftsmanship at a time when that was under threat from the Industrial Revolution. By studying the historical context of the Great Exhibition, as well as Geerts' other work, we can better understand the social and cultural forces that shaped this artwork. Ultimately, appreciating art is a historical endeavor.