Naples, 18th century, Nativity Scene Figures

Naples, 18th century

Nativity scene figures

Painted terracotta and fabrics, height approx. 19-35 cm.

The two figures depicted here belong to the great tradition of Neapolitan nativity scenes of the late 18th century, one of the high points of this art form in Europe. The first figure, larger and placed on a wooden base, represents an elegant woman, likely a noblewoman or an allegorical figure, dressed in a red silk dress and wrapped in a flowing white cloak trimmed with precious gold lace. Her face, exquisitely sculpted in painted terracotta, expresses a thoughtful and involved expression, while her articulated hands seem to be making a gesture of offering or wonder. The second figure, smaller in size, portrays a man of the people, a shepherd or a street vendor, characterized by rustic attire consisting of a fur jacket, dark trousers, and rough sandals. He carries a woven leather bag over his shoulder, and his bent, almost reverent posture conveys immediacy and narrative vivacity.

These works are part of the flourishing Neapolitan nativity scene production, which, under the reign of Charles III of Bourbon and then his son Ferdinand IV, reached heights of extraordinary artistic quality. During the eighteenth century, the Neapolitan nativity scene evolved from a simple devotional representation into a true artistic genre in its own right, involving the workshops of the city's finest sculptors, painters, tailors, and goldsmiths. The figures were constructed with an internal framework of tow-covered wire, with heads, hands, and feet of finely painted terracotta, and costumes of fine fabrics—silk, velvet, lace—often made by specialized seamstresses. The result was an extraordinary fusion of sculpture, painting, and decorative arts, rendering each figure a unique and unrepeatable work, a faithful reflection of Neapolitan society of the time in all its social stratification.

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E.g. Total €4.500 = Monthly installment €300 for 15 months.

E.g. Total €3.600 = Monthly installment €720 for 5 months.

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