1/7/2024 0 Comments Jesus the shepherd images![]() The tradition is still going strong today. Rich families traditionally spared no expense and commissioned trusted sculptors to create impressive works of art (also made of precious materials) and then dedicated entire rooms of their homes to show them off at receptions and private parties. For centuries a nativity scene was a real source of pride for families who competed to have the most lavish one! There is a long-held tradition of artisans who craft nativity scenes. This art reached its height in the 18 th century, but the city still draws visitors from all over the world to see its elaborate creations and figurines. It then reached the south, and the city of Naples and began to be fashionable in noble homes (in the form of ornaments or miniature chapels).Īlthough there are presepe traditions from north to south in Italy, the city of Naples is still the most famous for the art of the presepe in the whole country. The nativity scene became a popular tradition that spread throughout central Italy and the Emilia Romagna region. ![]() Large numbers of local people, who could not read, came to hear Francis tell them the story of Jesus’ birth.Īfter this, the first presepi, complete with a backdrop and carved figurines, started to make their appearance in churches alongside paintings. Francis brought a manger with straw as well as an ox and a donkey there (apparently no one represented the Virgin Mary, Joseph, or Baby Jesus). On Christmas Day 1223 in the small town of Greccio (near Rieti in central Italy) he set up the first presepe in history in a cave near woods close to the village. He was so impressed that he asked the Pope for permission to leave his monastery and stage a nativity play. Francis made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land to visit Jesus’ birthplace. The first presepe in the modern sense of the word is commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi and the ‘Living’ Presepe Good To Know: Much like parents buy Christmas ornaments for children in the US, Italian parents may buy presepe figures for children that they can one day take to their family home. They can be handed down through the family and some, dating back to the 18 th century, are worth large amounts of money. The sheep is in the foreground, closer to the viewer, while the angel (or whichever figure it is) is placed in the background and is smaller to give the idea of depth (and time) to the scene.Ī presepe can be added to over the years, or even generations…in the same way as we keep a Christmas tree in the attic and buy new ornaments for it, presepi can get new figures and features each year. ![]() Unlike a doll’s house where the figures are all the same size, an Italian presepe might have a huge sheep and a tiny angel. The presepe backdrop is traditionally made of wood and then the figures (in terracotta or wax) are added, together with moving mechanical parts and sometimes water features like wells and fountains.Īn interesting thing to note about presepi is the sense of perspective. Some feature entire towns, with artisans baking bread, selling fruit, meat and fish, drinking, or even making pizza!įun Fact: In a presepe, the birth of Jesus is often staged in a grotto, or cave, rather than the traditional stable. Unlike typical Christmas scenes featuring just baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph, assorted shepherds, a few sheep and a donkey or two, presepi can become a very elaborate affair indeed.
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