Stonework showing Madonna holding child (7)
I believe the answer is:
masonry
'stonework' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'madonna holding child' is the wordplay.
'madonna' becomes 'Mary' (synonyms).
'holding' indicates putting letters inside.
'child' becomes 'son' (male child).
'mary' enclosing 'son' is 'MASONRY'.
'showing' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for masonry that I've seen before include "brickwork" , "Stonework" , "Skill in construction" , "Building work in stone" .)