presepio nativity scene

presepio nativity scene , circa 1770

Where object was made: Naples, Italy

Material/technique: metal; weaving; wood; wire; terracotta; papier-mâché; plant fiber; paint; string; cork; cloth; pearl

Dimensions:
Object Height (Height): 101.6 cm
Object Height (Height): 40 in

Credit line: William Bridges Thayer Memorial

Accession number: 1928.7899

Not on display

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Civic Leader and Art Collector: Sallie Casey Thayer and an Art Museum for KU

Presepio, or nativity scenes, have a long history in the celebration of Christmas. As early as the seventh century, a reenactment of the birth of Jesus took place in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, and was indicative of the growing importance of the cult of the Holy Family. Later, St. Francis of Assisi helped to popularize the custom by using a presepio to instruct the young. The Franciscans and other religious orders introduced nativity scenes in their churches, and, in this way, they came to be produced throughout Europe and the colonized Americas.
This presepio tableau retains its original architectural setting. Costly silks and velvets were used for the figures’ clothing, and the arrangement of the figures mimics the dramatic compositions of Baroque painting and sculpture. Created in 1770 for the Massimo family, it was passed down to Prince Fabrizio Massimo. In 1911, Prince Massimo exhibited his extensive familial collection, including this presepio, which Sally Casey Thayer later acquired from him during her travels to Italy in 1914.