Museum exploration reveals the cultural and artistic richness in the representation of the Birth of Christ over the centuries
The São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art – MAS.SP, institution of Secretariat of culture, Economy and Creative Industry of the State of São Paulo, announces the exhibition “Traditions in the Nativity Scenes of the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art“, a careful exploration of the rich collection that makes up the institution's outstanding collection, recognized as one of the most expressive compilations of its kind in the country.
The exhibition is not limited to just sculptural sets, but includes pictorial scenes, expanding the representation of the birth of Jesus through 50 different nativity scenes, enabling an immersive experience in the cultural and artistic roots that permeate this centuries-old tradition.
Open to the public from 02 of december, to shows invites the public to explore the different facets of this unique artistic expression, revealing the different ways in which the birth of Jesus was interpreted over time and in different cultures.
“Traditions in the Nativity Scenes of the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art” proposes a museological approach that seeks to expand understanding of the theme, highlighting not only the pieces themselves, but also the construction and representation of the birth of Christ over the centuries.
Originated in medieval Europe, the tradition of setting up nativity scenes emerges as a unique expression of popular religiosity, merging artistic knowledge and artisanal skills. Nativity scenes are not just objects of individual contemplation, but rather artistic manifestations intended for collective appreciation, transmitting cultural memory in a vivid and continuous way from generation to generation.
Ramon Vieira, show coordinator, emphasizes the importance of the presepist tradition, stating: “Nativity scenes are living witnesses of cultural memory, transmitting knowledge, skills and abilities over the centuries, from parents to children, from grandparents to grandchildren.”
The meticulous selection of the sets on display and the specific selection of the collection were guided by the commitment to presenting the presepist traditions that shaped these works. The diversity of representations, influenced by origin and location, is a fundamental aspect of the exhibition, highlighting the richness and vitality of this tradition over time.
“Traditions in the Nativity Scenes of the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art” goes beyond the Nativity scene, incorporating folkloric elements, small boxes, lapinhas, miniatures and figures that enrich the narrative of Jesus’ birth. Nativity scenes of oriental origin stand out, like Japan besides Zimbabwe and Nigeria, that carry with them striking elements of their civilizations. further, Portuguese and Italian traditions loom large, who influenced the way nativity scenes are set up in Brazil and Latin America.
The curatorial concept goes from the modern model disseminated by Saint Francis of Assisi, in the town of Greccio, to international regionalist singularities (italian, Portuguese and Spanish) and national (baianas, Minas Gerais, paulistas, cariocas, Ceará), characterizing and distinguishing the nativity scenes in the collection of MAS.SP.
- the Museum
The Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo, institution of the Secretary of Culture, Economy and Creative Industry of the State of São Paulo, It is one of the most important of its kind in the country. It is the result of an agreement signed between the State Government and Mitra Archdiocese of Sao Paulo, in 28 October 1969, and its installation date 29 June 1970.
Since then, the Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo He came to occupy wing of the Monastery of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception of Light, on Avenida Tiradentes, downtown São Paulo. The building is one of the most important monuments of colonial architecture São Paulo, built of rammed earth, rare remaining example in the city, last farm convent city.
It was listed by the Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute National, in 1943, and the Council for the Defense of Heritage, Architectural artistic and the State of São Paulo, in 1979. It has much of its collection also listed by IPHAN, since 1969, whose priceless heritage includes relics of stories in Brazil and worldwide.
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The Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo holds a vast collection of works created between the 16th and 20th centuries, counting with rare specimens and significant. There are more than 10 thousand items in the collection. Has works of recognized names, as Frei Agostinho da Piedade, Frei Agostinho de Jesus, Antonio Francisco Lisboa, the "Aleijadinho" and Benedito Calixto de Jesus, Among many, anonymous or not. Noteworthy are also the collections of nativity scenes, silverware and jewelery, Lampadarios, furniture, altarpieces, altars, clothing, liturgical books and numismatic.
SERVICE
Exhibition: “The Traditions in the Nativity Scenes of the São Paulo Museum of Sacred Art”
Coordination: Ramon Vieira
Number of works: 50 sets
Technique: paintings, sculptures and objects
Opening: 02 of december, Saturday, at 11am
Period: from 02 th December 2023 to 07 January 2024
Timetables: From Tuesday to Sunday, from 09 às 17h (entry allowed until 4:30 pm)
Local: Museu de Arte Sacra de São Paulo || MAS.SP
Address: Avenida Tiradentes, 676 -Light, São Paulo (Tiradentes station of subway)
Free parking/alternative access: Rua Jorge Miranda, 43 (subject to capacity)
Tel.: 11 3326-3336 | 99466-6662 - Additional Information
Entrance:
- R$ 6,00 (One piece) | R$ 3,00 (half national entry for students, private school teachers and I.D. Young – upon proof); exemptions: children up to 7 years, adults from 60, public school teachers, disabled people, ICOM members, police and military – upon proof; free for all PCDs plus one companion, Every day. FREE ON SATURDAYS
Accessibility:
- Parking with exclusive space for the disabled and elderly, accessible and adapted bathroom, access ramp for wheelchair users at the entrance to the MAS, informational accessibility with QR Code in the main works of the collection, physical and communicational accessibility using multisensory resources such as models and tactile pieces used by the educational sector, Libras interpreter and bilingual professionals serving the public, by appointment, digital resources on the museum website, with the use of enlarged characters, Libras and trilingual, audio description.
Digital Media
WebSite: www.museuartesacra.org.br
Instagram: www.instagram.com/museuartesacra
Facebook: facebook.com/MuseuArteSacra
Twitter: twitter.com/MuseuArteSacra
YouTube: youtube.com/MuseuArteSacra
Google Arts & Culture: bit.ly/2C1d7gX
