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How 18th-Century Neapolitan Nativity Scenes and Figurines Made Their Mark

During the Christmas season—even lasting until February 2, 2025—visitors to the newly reopened Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris can marvel at a one-of-a-kind spectacle: a magnificent Neapolitan nativity scene. This opulent 6-meter-long display features approximately 200 intricately crafted figurines.

The size, luxury, and long history of the ‘presepi napoletani’ fit the monumentality of medieval Notre Dame. The Neapolitan scenes are renowned for their large-scale theatrical drama and the beautiful minuteness of their figurines. Let’s uncover what sets them apart from all other Nativity scenes.

There are about 200 figurines in this Neapolitan Nativity scene. They were collected by Alberto Ravaglioli. It is displayed in Notre Dame cathedral in Paris for Christmas 2024.

The Neapolitan Nativity Scene in Notre Dame Cathedral for Christmas 2024. It is made of about 200 figurines collected over fifty years by Alberto Ravaglioli.

The Evolution of Neapolitan Nativity Scenes

Let’s journey back to 1205, near the Porta Capuana in Naples. A notarial act mentions the Santa Maria de Presepe church in this district, presepe meaning ‘manger’, unequivocally referring to the Nativity. However, we don’t know how the nativity was represented or celebrated.

This document establishes the importance of the devotion to the Nativity of Jesus in Naples, predating the first living nativity in Greccio—in the Lazio region, 270 km North of Naples—created by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1223.

In Carrara marble, the oldest Nativity scene we still have today, created in 1291 by Arnolfo di Cambio is in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma.

In Carrara marble, the oldest Nativity scene we still have today was created in 1291 by Arnolfo di Cambio. Pope Niccolò IV, a Franciscan pontiff, commissioned it. The Three Wise Men were carved in the 1500s. You can admire the sculpted group in the Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Roma.

Neapolitan crèches first appeared in churches during the 14th century and later found their way into the homes of the aristocracy. A major early example of a Neapolitan manger scene dating to around 1324 is the Nativity of Queen Sancha of Aragon, wife of King Robert of Anjou who reigned in Naples. It was located in the Church of Santa Chiara and burnt down to ashes in a disastrous fire caused by bombing in 1943.

The Golden Age of Neapolitan Nativity Scenes in the 18th Century

The manger scenes from Naples grew in popularity and became famous even outside Naples at the end of the 17th century. They reached their zenith in the 18th century during the Bourbon era. King Charles VII of Naples and his wife, Queen Maria Amalia, took great delight in creating elaborate Christmas displays. Their impressive collection of over 6,000 figurines could fill multiple rooms. They later brought this tradition to Spain when they ascended to the throne there, where they continued to share their passion with their children.

These scenes exhibit the exuberance of the Baroque. Dramatization suits an evangelization purpose: in the late 17th century, the nativity displays took a theatrical dimension. They expanded in size and the religious figurines (the Holy Family, the Adoration of the Shepherds, and the Magi) started to coexist with profane characters. The sacred blended with everyday life in 18th-century Naples—obvious through the costumes and the landscapes. This is one of the unique features of Neapolitan nativity scenes: they tell as much about the nativity as life in Naples.

Sacred and secular figurines of an 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene: Saint Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and two women.

Sacred and secular figurines of an 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene: Saint Joseph, Mary, baby Jesus, and two women. © Frédéric Havas

The theatricality calls for grandiose backgrounds and detailed props. There are numerous street scenes with lively markets, vendors, shops, and modest houses. A tavern is often represented, possibly because, as mentioned in Luke 2:7, “there was no room for them [the Holy Family] in the inn”.

Antic temple ruins frequently surround Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus offering a gorgeous backdrop to multiple angels. These ruins are inspired by the rediscovery of Herculaneum in 1709 while symbolizing the downfall of paganism. Shepherds are sometimes gathered in a grotto for the Announcement.

The Neapolitan Figurines: What They Look Like

The realism of the Nativity figurines is remarkable, particularly in the portrayal of secular characters, who often possess uniquely distinctive faces. This interest in common people is not without reminding us of the growing popularity of genre scenes in the 18th century as we discussed in our article on wax reliefs.

A collection of 10 terracotta heads of 18th-century Nativity figurines from Naples.

A collection of 10 terracotta heads from 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity figurines. © Ghilli Antichità

Fitting the large scale of the scenes, the figurines are unusually tall too—around 25-40cm—compared to those developed in other regions or countries. The heads of the figures are made of terracotta, the arms and legs are carved and painted wood, and the eyes are made of glass. You may also find some examples of wax or porcelain body parts. The bodies are crafted from tow fixed onto wire frameworks.

An angel figurine without clothes. We can see the body structure in tow, wire and terracotta.

An 18th-century angel figurine from Naples with their clothes off. We can see the body structure in tow, wire, and terracotta. The angel’s face radiates infinite grace. © UniversBalthus

The figures are dressed according to their roles, with meticulously detailed clothing, sometimes made from luxurious fabrics such as gold thread or silk produced nearby in San Leucio.

Religious and Profane Figurines in Neapolitan Crèches

The pastori are the secular characters depicted in the displays. Some are indeed shepherds (the meaning of pastori), sometimes playing music or sleeping, but they also cover many other roles. As much as they seem to be regular Neapolitan people and tell us of 18th-century (or later) Naples, many are also loaded with symbolism—the hunter, fisher, the washerwoman, the drunk, the driver of a barrel-carrying cart, etc.— usually related to the path to faith and redemption.

18th-century Neapolitan pastori: a woman and two musician shepherds, a bagpipe player and a guitarist.

18th-century Neapolitan pastori: a woman and two musician shepherds (a bagpipe player and a guitarist). © Galleria Serrao

The procession of the Three Wise Men with great pomp had a special place in the hearts of the 18th-century Neapolitans. In 1741, the Ottoman Sultan sent an impressive embassy with 60 people to strengthen a peace treaty between his empire and the Naples kingdom. A parade took place before a grand reception at the palace in Napoli. The population was in awe when they saw the magnificent Turkish clothes, the luxurious fabrics, the colors and shapes, the turbans and sleepers. The exoticism of the Orient had come to surprise them in their own home.

Two of the Three Wise Men : antique Neapolitan Nativity figurines.

Two of the Three Wise Men. Left: 18th century © ART@ANTIQUES. Right: 19th century © MB Antique.

On the sacred side, many angels and cherubs glorify the Holy Family. In the famous ‘Presepe Cuciniello’ in Naples’ Museo di San Martino, the 80 angels form an ascending whirl. The animals are well represented too: the must-have ox and donkey, the sheeps, the farm and exotic animals (camels and elephants sometimes coming with the Magi). Given the scale of the displays, many accessories were crafted, primarily tied to the trades of the figurines.

Several examples of 18th-century Neapolitan angels and cherubs for a Nativity scene.

Several examples of 18th-century Neapolitan angels and cherubs for a Nativity scene. © Galleria Serrao, © Accents Baroques for the largest angels with clothes on.

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The opulence and scale of the Neapolitan Nativity scenes made a strong impression on their contemporaries since the 18th century (and even before). The Nativity tradition is also deeply rooted in other catholic regions (Bavaria, Provence, and different parts of Italy…), the Franciscans and Jesuits having heavily contributed to promoting this custom to catechize the illiterate population.

During the 18th century, the best Neapolitan sculptors were involved in making the Nativity scenes and their figurines (Giuseppe Sanmartino, Matteo Bottiglieri, Lorenzo and Dominico Vaccaro being the most famous ones). A plethora of craftsmen were involved too, specialized in the various types of figurines, accessories, or parts. Nowadays, Naples’ San Gregorio Street is still bustling around Christmas, filled with presepisti and pastorai artisans—some of them trace their craft back through generations of family tradition.

*The top banner features a detail from the Neapolitan Nativity scene displayed at the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Christian Sacred Art | Nativity | Neapolitan Arts | Naples

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