In this Nativity scene from the base surrounding the tree, a host of dangling angels point one of the three Kings towards the Holy Family just out of view to the left. Neapolitan sculptors went the extra mile for 18th-century sculpted Magi, adorning them with highly detailed oriental robes and real jewelry. Hard to believe one is not looking at a painting, isn't it?
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Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche has been displayed each year since 1957 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from late November to early January. The annual candlelit spruce tree, adorned with angels and surrounded by a lively 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene, is a tradition inaugurated by collector and museum patron Loretta Hines Howard. The late Mrs. Howard began collecting crèche figures in 1925 and soon after conceived the idea of combining the Roman Catholic custom of elaborate Nativity scenes with the tradition of decorated Christmas trees that had developed among the largely Protestant people of northern Europe. Mrs. Howard donated more than two hundred crèche figures to the museum in 1964 to form the nucleus of this ever-expanding display.
Linn Howard, Mrs. Howard's daughter, worked with her mother for many years on the annual installation. Since her mother's death in 1982, she has continued to create new settings for the figures that she adds to the collection. In keeping with family tradition, Linn Howard's daughter, artist Andrea Selby Rossi, now joins her mother each year in creating the display. The exhibit of the crèche is made possible by gifts to The Christmas Tree Fund and the Loretta Hines Howard Fund.
"Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche" is on view from November 25, 2008-January 6, 2009 in the Grand Hall in front of the Medieval Sculpture Hall at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028-0198 (Telephone: 212-535-7710; Website). Lighting ceremonies take place Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m., Sundays at 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays through Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. An additional ceremony is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on a special Met Holiday Monday, December 29. SUGGESTED admission to The Met is $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for senior citizens (65 years of age and older) and $10.00 for students. Admission is free for children under the age of 12 accompanied by adults.
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Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche has been displayed each year since 1957 at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from late November to early January. The annual candlelit spruce tree, adorned with angels and surrounded by a lively 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity scene, is a tradition inaugurated by collector and museum patron Loretta Hines Howard. The late Mrs. Howard began collecting crèche figures in 1925 and soon after conceived the idea of combining the Roman Catholic custom of elaborate Nativity scenes with the tradition of decorated Christmas trees that had developed among the largely Protestant people of northern Europe. Mrs. Howard donated more than two hundred crèche figures to the museum in 1964 to form the nucleus of this ever-expanding display.
Linn Howard, Mrs. Howard's daughter, worked with her mother for many years on the annual installation. Since her mother's death in 1982, she has continued to create new settings for the figures that she adds to the collection. In keeping with family tradition, Linn Howard's daughter, artist Andrea Selby Rossi, now joins her mother each year in creating the display. The exhibit of the crèche is made possible by gifts to The Christmas Tree Fund and the Loretta Hines Howard Fund.
"Christmas Tree and Neapolitan Baroque Crèche" is on view from November 25, 2008-January 6, 2009 in the Grand Hall in front of the Medieval Sculpture Hall at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10028-0198 (Telephone: 212-535-7710; Website). Lighting ceremonies take place Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30, 5:30, and 6:30 p.m., Sundays at 4:30 p.m., and Tuesdays through Thursdays at 4:30 p.m. An additional ceremony is scheduled at 4:30 p.m. on a special Met Holiday Monday, December 29. SUGGESTED admission to The Met is $20.00 for adults, $10.00 for senior citizens (65 years of age and older) and $10.00 for students. Admission is free for children under the age of 12 accompanied by adults.