HIGHLIGHTS OF THE NATIVITY STORY: ART OF THE CRÈCHE

Past Exhibit

Photo of a clay Nativity scene from Portugal featuring the Holy Family within a stable. An ox, donkey, and rooster look upon them.

April 9, 2022 – October 2, 2022
The story of the birth of Jesus Christ has been told around the world through art. While many components featured in these artworks can be found in the Book of Isaiah and the Gospels of Sts. Luke and Matthew, details are often changed or added. At times, modifications are made to setting, time period, and landscape. In other cases, there may be the addition of animals or the presence of different characters at Christ’s birth.

The 2021 Christmas exhibition, The Nativity Story: Art of the Crèche, was derived solely from the Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection here at the Blessed Michael McGivney Pilgrimage Center. The objects featured in the Dechant Galleries showcase some of the highlights from the original exhibition. A strong emphasis is placed specifically on crèches, the three-dimensional representation of the Nativity scene, but other artworks are also included. This exhibit shares many examples of how the Nativity has been depicted throughout the world, demonstrating the global impact of Christ’s birth.

PLAN A VISIT

Highlights of the Nativity Story: Art of the Crèche

Wood painted Nativity with Holy Family, Angel, 3 Magi, 2 shepherds, a lamb, an ox, and a donkey with a stable.

Crèche from Kenya housed in a hallowed out dried African gourd. The figures inside include the Holy Family, two goats, three wise men and a villager.

Thai crèche with a stable, the Holy Family & 8 people in traditional Thai clothing. The 8 people are merchants, farmers, nobility, & the Karen people.

Crèche from Ghana by Mohammed Amin with the Holy Family, camel, hut, and woven carpet. Mary reclines with the Christ Child beside her.

Crèche from Ecuador made of painted bread dough with the Holy Family, an angel, a donkey, and an ox.

Crèche from Haiti. Painted steel Nativity with Holy Family and 3 Magi.

Photo of a crèche featuring the wood carved figures of the Holy Family in the stable, an Angel, the 3 Magi, and 7 sheep on a piece of driftwood.

Mother-of-pearl annual nativity with scenes of the Nativity, Last Supper, Annunciation and Christ resurrected from the tomb.

Large Nativity depicting the birth of Christ along the customs and daily lives of the local people of 16th century Neapolitan society.