The first written evidence of the Nativity scene dates back to the Gospel; Matthew and Luke speak of it. San Francesco was the first to make a live one, in the shape of a sacred representation. The first artists to depict a Nativity scene was Arnolfo di Cambio in 1285.If you want to learn more about it, go to Milan: until the 27th of January, the paper Nativity scene is on display in Milan in the Church of the Incoronata, in a review dedicated to the ancient popular tradition, widespread especially in the Po Valley in the 1700s. Figures cut and set onto crafted supports, such as wooden sticks and fragments, and stuck in the earth, or true works of art: oil paintings on papier-maché glued onto the wood.
The material arrives from the Bertarelli Collection (over 300 thousand popular prints), presented to the Milan Municipality by collector Achille Bertarelli, preserved at the Castello Sforzesco. A precious recently restored Holy Family by Francesco Landonio can be seen in San Marco's church, with the whole nativity scene.
The exhibition is promoted by the Milan province, by Italia Nostra and by the National Consortium for the Recovery of cellulose-based Packaging.
December.2001
Municipality of Milan
Italia Nostra
Consortium for the recovery
:: TRADITION AND FOLKLORE :: RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS ::
