Presepio: An Expanded View

This exhibition presents the Museum’s recently conserved presepio nativity ensemble, along with related free-standing figures. The tradition of elaborate presepio displays dates to the time of Saint Francis of Assisi as instructional offerings to churchgoers and other citizens. The peak creation of these sacred and conversational groupings of figures centered in Naples, Italy, in the later 18th century. The Spencer Museum is fortunate to have one such display thanks to the wise collecting practices of Sallie Casey Thayer, who included the presepio in her founding gift of artwork for the Museum’s collection. This expanded display will feature new research on the presepio and related figures.