Figure 1.--Here we see a Nativity Scene figurine made by Giuseppe Sanmartino (1720-93). Sanmartino was one of the most acclaimed Neapolitan sculptors of 18th century. The figurine here is a boy wearing a good suit. Nativity figures in the 18th century, with the exception of the key figures, were commonly dressed in contemprary clothing.

The popularity of the Nativity scene, one of the most beloved and enduring symbols of the holiday season, originated in Italy. St. Francis of Assisi asked a man named Giovanni Vellita of the village of Greccio to create a manger scene. St. Francis performed mass in front of this early Nativity scene, which inspired awe and devotion in all who saw it. The creation of the figures or pastori became an entire genre of folk art. The creche scenes sponsored by churches and the nativity scenes Americans like to put under their trees all had this origin. Before Christmas trees became almost universally popular, people in southern Europe would have nativity scenes as the center piece for the family Christmas, An Italin reader tells us, "The nativity scene tradition is very important in Italy, especially in Naples. During the 18th century, many artistic cribs were made in Naples. Usually the images were clothed as the people at the time, so they are a useful source on 18th century Neapolitan clothing." Another Itlian reder confirms this, "In the traditional Neapolitan Nativity (in Italian "presepe napoletano") the statuettes are clothed as the contemporary people. This statuette shows a mother with two children. The Virgin Mary is usually depicted kneeling (or standing) while she look at baby Jesus in the manger. So the Nativity statuette give us an evidence of the common people's clothing." At its peak we see many artistic statuettes and great settings. The clothing of the statuettes follows some general rules. Mary and Joseph are dressed in tunics which during the medievl era had become the standard wayof depicting Jesus' parents. Baby Jesus child is or perhaps partially wrapped in fabric. The Gospel tells us, "She wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger" (Luke 2:7). The Magi are dressed as Eastern rulers, another medieval tradition unfounded in the Gospel. The other figures, however, were depicted as Neapolitan contemporary people whicjh amkes the charming figurines a source on the clothing worn by ordinary and poor people. There are many beautiful examples.

Source

Fittipaldi, Teodoro. Il presepe napoletano del Settecento (Naples 2001).

Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site:
[Return to the Main sculpture page]
[Introduction] [Activities] [Biographies] [Chronology] [Clothing styles] [Countries]
[Bibliographies] [Contributions] [FAQs] [Glossaries] [Images] [Links] [Registration] [Tools]
[Boys' Clothing Home]

Created: 3:38 AM 12/26/2008
Last updated: 4:47 PM 3/28/2016