Artena ... Neapolitan Art
Neapolitan nativity scene figures
18th century terracotta nativity scene
Pulcinella
beautiful 'mbriana and Sciò Sciò
Shepherds and Nativity Scenes
The munaciello
Artisan shepherds
Let us introduce ourselves...
Artena is a combination of two words: Arte - Neapolitan.
A craft workshop born and developed out of a love for the artistic and nativity scene culture of our Neapolitan people, who over time have continually represented themselves and manifested themselves through evocative images of everyday life, where the sacred and the profane intertwine. Our mission is the preservation and dissemination of this Neapolitan art, tied to tradition and Christian spirituality. In communion with our beloved Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, we share his thought: "The nativity scene reflects and manifests the logic of God, who enters the world almost on tiptoe, without advertising himself." The art of the Neapolitan nativity scene, which is still passed down from father to son, is a true catechesis, a transmission of faith. Each character, each expression, each setting is a story, a tale... keeping alive the memory of the event of the Incarnation, which changed our history. And it is for this reason that we refine and cultivate this technique with respect and love, to affirm timeless values, creating hand-painted Neapolitan shepherd figurines, meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail, nativity scenes, and settings to better enchant and evoke an atmosphere full of meaning and spirituality.
Neapolitan Craftsmanship
history of the Neapolitan nativity scene
passion and tradition
The 18th century was the golden age of nativity scene art. King Charles III of Bourbon brought Naples back to the highest cultural and artistic levels. With nativity scene art, the shepherd was born, using new techniques that consisted of replacing the sculpted statue with mannequins made from wire, wooden limbs, and terracotta heads. The shepherds thus began to have poses in their movements and expressions. The artisan who produced them was in fact called a "figurinaio." Among the many artisans, G. Sammartino produced excellent works. With the progressive rise of the bourgeoisie, terracotta shepherds became popular, of varying quality and size, in proportion to increasingly smaller settings. The nativity scene, a mirror of our daily lives, now presents a vibrant life of interests, professions, spirituality, and passions.
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Reviews of our handcrafted works
Errico Porzio:
Special thanks to the ARTENA nativity scene workshop, Vincenzo Fortunato, and his wife Lucia for this wonderful gift. A true Neapolitan Pulcinella.
Errico Porzio:
Special thanks to the ARTENA nativity scene workshop, Vincenzo Fortunato, and his wife Lucia for this wonderful gift. A true Neapolitan Pulcinella.
Television interview with Regional Councilor Roberta Gaeta. Referring to the Artena laboratory, she says of us:
You also cultivate your artistic passion through solidarity, revitalizing values that are intrinsic to our Neapolitan culture.
Television interview with Regional Councilor Roberta Gaeta. Referring to the Artena laboratory, she says of us:
You also cultivate your artistic passion through solidarity, revitalizing values that are intrinsic to our Neapolitan culture.
The Parish of San Giuseppe and Madonna di Lourdes donates to Bishop Autuoro a beautiful handcrafted statue of our Patron Saint San Gennaro, created by the artisans of the Artena Pastori Presepiali workshop.
The Parish of San Giuseppe and Madonna di Lourdes donates to Bishop Autuoro a beautiful handcrafted statue of our Patron Saint San Gennaro, created by the artisans of the Artena Pastori Presepiali workshop.
Videoclip Artena
Our creations are all handcrafted. Each individual shepherd is painted using traditional 18th-century Neapolitan techniques, and the silk or cotton garments are entirely hand-sewn.
Position
Artena Shepherds Nativity Scenes
By Vincenzo Fortunato
shipping/collection location
lab hours
09:00 - 12:00 16:00 - 18:00