The nativity scene and the master artisans

The Neapolitan presepe, as we know it today, developed in the 18th century under the influence of baroque culture.
Alongside the traditional Nativity figures, artisans introduced scenes of daily life, tradespeople, animals, tavern scenes, and urban corners.
The sacred blends with the profane, the Bible with the marketplace, the silence of the grotto with the clamour of the alleyway.
The result is more than a religious tableau — it is a vision of the world, where realism and imagination coexist.

Being a nativity artisan is a complex craft that brings together sculpture, painting, tailoring, and miniature architecture.
Each workshop follows its own style. Every pastore (as the figurines are called) is hand-modelled and painted, often with unique features, clothing sewn from real fabric, and expressions crafted with precision.
The Neapolitan school is known for:
• the use of terracotta and wood
• the attention to proportions and posture
• the narrative richness of the scenes
• the inclusion of contemporary, often ironic or symbolic figures

Even today, alongside classic shepherds, you’ll find figurines depicting politicians, sports stars, and celebrities.
It’s not just about irony — it’s a form of social commentary, a way to show that even current events have a place in the collective story.
In this sense, the nativity scene is a living mirror of the city.

The presepe isn’t confined to Christmas or tourist shop windows.
In many Neapolitan families, it’s still a cherished practice, built carefully year after year.
Elsewhere, it has become a collectible object, a year-round display piece.
There are historic workshops, but also a new generation of artisans reclaiming ancient techniques and blending them with contemporary materials, styles, and visions.
The Neapolitan nativity scene continues to evolve — without ever losing its core purpose: telling the story of the world through a single scene.