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CÉLÉBRONS LES 800 ANS DE LA CRÈCHE

Expositions antérieures

Graphical poster for the 800 years of the Creche exhibit.
Graphical poster for the 800 years of the Creche exhibit.

Du 10 novembre 2023 au 24 mars 2024

Il y a huit cents ans, un frère italien de 41 ans, inspiré par son voyage en Terre sainte, a célébré la naissance de Jésus-Christ en faisant quelque chose de très spécial. Avec la permission du pape Honoré III, il a créé une scène tridimensionnelle de la Nativité avec des animaux vivants dans une grotte de la ville de Greccio, à 97 kilomètres au nord de Rome. Ce frère était saint François d’Assise, fondateur de l’ordre des Frères mineurs (aussi connus sous le nom de franciscains).

Pendant huit siècles, cette simple représentation de la naissance du Christ a évolué pour devenir une forme d’art. La crèche se retrouve maintenant dans les maisons chrétiennes partout dans le monde. Elle intègre souvent des paysages et des traditions de la culture de l’artisan et elle est créée à partir de matériaux provenant de la région dans laquelle elle est fabriquée. Malgré la diversité des formes artistiques qu’elle prend, un thème demeure universel : le récit biblique de la naissance de l’Enfant Jésus. Depuis les conditions humbles de sa naissance à Bethléem jusqu’à sa crucifixion aux abords de Jérusalem, le témoignage de Jésus-Christ unit les peuples du monde et les amène à rechercher une vie de paix et d’harmonie malgré les différences géographiques ou culturelles.

Présentant des crèches de la collection du Musée des Chevaliers de Colomb inc., cette exposition rend hommage à la riche histoire de la scène de la Nativité vue dans le monde entier, des petites figurines faites de bois sculpté à la main aux représentations à grande échelle avec plus de 150 figurines et des décors élaborés. L’exposition comprend des passages décrivant le moment à Greccio, tirés du chapitre 30 de l’ouvrage de Thomas de Celano (1229) La vie de saint François, la toute première biographie du saint, ainsi que du chapitre 10 de l’ouvrage de saint Bonaventure (1263) La vie de saint François d’Assise.

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Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche

Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche

Nativity scene featuring the Holy Family and five suspended angels against a cave backdrop.
Nativity scene featuring the Holy Family and five suspended angels against a cave backdrop.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche, 2014 by Bottega d’arte presepiale Cantone & Costabile from Italy. This crèche is set within a mystical setting and includes several angels. While there is little scenery, this setting is one of the few in the collection that fully resembles a cave. Mystical settings are extremely rare, as they lack all the frills and embellishments distinctive of the Neapolitan style. This style of crèche is usually created for convents or religious communities. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2015.5.1-.11
elsalvador_creche
elsalvador_creche
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Tin painted crèche from Mexico which includes Holy Family, Angel, a star, three Magi, a shepherd, an ox, and a donkey.
Tin painted crèche from Mexico which includes Holy Family, Angel, a star, three Magi, a shepherd, an ox, and a donkey.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Tin painted crèche from Mexico which includes Holy Family, Angel, a star, three Magi, a shepherd, an ox, and a donkey. Artwork made from tin is found throughout many regions of Mexico. One of the best-known regions for this is Oaxaca, in southwestern Mexico. The artwork, known as Hojalata, meaning “tin plate,” can be finished in either natural metal or bright, vibrant paint. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2016.48.46
Crèche from the Cochiti Pueblo featuring Holy Family, three Magi, a donkey, a lamb, and an ox.
Crèche from the Cochiti Pueblo featuring Holy Family, three Magi, a donkey, a lamb, and an ox.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche from the Cochiti Pueblo featuring Holy Family, three Magi, a donkey, a lamb, and an ox. The figures of this crèche depict a popular type of figurine made in many of the Pueblo Nations: “The Storyteller.” The histories of many Indigenous peoples are passed down through generations by the spoken, rather than written, word. The Storyteller figure (in this case, ceramic) is depicted with its mouth open, as if in speech, and is often surrounded by smaller figures who are listening to every word. The first modern Storyteller figure originated in the Cochiti Pueblo in the 1960s. The Cochiti Pueblo is west of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2016.48.93
Olivewood carved Nativity with the Holy Family in a stable made from a hollowed-out log. Other figures of people and animals are outside the stable.
Olivewood carved Nativity with the Holy Family in a stable made from a hollowed-out log. Other figures of people and animals are outside the stable.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Olivewood carved Nativity from Israel with the Holy Family in a stable made from a hollowed-out log. The olive tree grows abundantly in the Holy Land, and its wood is often used for Nativity scenes. Many artisans depend heavily on the funds produced from these pieces. Olive branches are also used as a symbol for world peace. Other figures of people and animals are outside the stable.Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2019.23.3
Wood painted Nativity from Germany with the Holy Family, angel, 2 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, an ox, a donkey, a palm tree, 2 arches, and a star.
Wood painted Nativity from Germany with the Holy Family, angel, 2 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, an ox, a donkey, a palm tree, 2 arches, and a star.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche from Germany by Köhler Kunsthandwerk. Wood painted Nativity with the Holy Family, angel, 2 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, an ox, a donkey, a palm tree, 2 arches, and a star. In 1989, a wood turner named Björn Köhler started his company, Köhler Kunsthandwerk. His minimalist Nativity scenes became so popular he was asked to create a life-size version for the Striezelmarkt Christmas market in Dresden, Germany. Each of these figures were created by being turned and carved on a lathe. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2019.23.10
Photo of a clay Nativity scene from Portugal featuring the Holy Family within a stable. An ox, donkey, and rooster look upon them.
Photo of a clay Nativity scene from Portugal featuring the Holy Family within a stable. An ox, donkey, and rooster look upon them.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche made in the 1960s from Portugal by Jose Franco. Clay Nativity scene features the Holy Family within a stable. An ox, donkey, and rooster look upon them. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2020.24.1
Wood carved Nativity with the Holy Family in front a stable frame. Flanking the stable are 3 Magi, a Shepherd, donkey, ox, and two sheep.
Wood carved Nativity with the Holy Family in front a stable frame. Flanking the stable are 3 Magi, a Shepherd, donkey, ox, and two sheep.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche made in 2022 from Turka, Ukraine by Volodymyr Kravchenko. Linden wood Nativity with the Holy Family in front a stable frame. Flanking the stable are 3 Magi, a Shepherd, donkey, ox, and two sheep. Volodymyr Kravchenko and his family have been making Christian-themed woodcarvings for over 20 years. According to Kravchenko, in April 2022: “My favorite work is the Nativity scene: 11 figures in which not only is work invested but also a particle of the soul is invested. Especially in our time — when we have a lot of grief, tears, and sorrow in the country, when we have a war in the country — it is important that the carving gives joy, gives warmth. This is exactly what I hope our Nativity scene is like. I hope you enjoy my work. And at Christmas, when you are looking at the Nativity scene, you will remember that this work was done by Volodymyr, a carver from Ukraine.” Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2022.17.2
Buri Palm fiber and wood Nativity with the Holy Family, 3 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, and a stable.
Buri Palm fiber and wood Nativity with the Holy Family, 3 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, and a stable.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche made in 2023, designed in Australia and produced in the Philippines by Bristlebrush Designs. Buri Palm fiber and wood Nativity with the Holy Family, 3 Magi, 2 shepherds, 3 sheep, and a stable. The Buri Palm tree, also known as the Corypha elata, is native to several countries in Asia and the northeast portion of Australia. After the palms are cut, they must be soaked, bleached, and then dried. Afterward, they are cut into bundles that are wired to cylinders. Finally, they are cut by hand into their final shape. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2023.12.1
Nativity scene from Senegal featuring Mary holding the Christ Child, Joseph, two shepherds, and the Magi made of wire and dressed with batik fabric.
Nativity scene from Senegal featuring Mary holding the Christ Child, Joseph, two shepherds, and the Magi made of wire and dressed with batik fabric.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Nativity scene from Senegal featuring Mary holding the Christ Child, Joseph, two shepherds, and the Magi made of wire and dressed with batik fabric. The figures of this crèche are dressed in brightly colored wax cloth, also known as batik fabric. The design is printed or drawn onto cotton fabric using melted wax. When the fabric is dyed, the areas covered in wax remain unstained, leaving behind the original background color once the wax is removed. The process of creating batik fabric came originally from Indonesia but reached Africa through Dutch and English merchants. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2023.24.1
Large Nativity depicting the birth of Christ along the customs and daily lives of the local people of 16th century Neapolitan society.
Large Nativity depicting the birth of Christ along the customs and daily lives of the local people of 16th century Neapolitan society.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Neapolitan made in 2014 from Naples, Italy by Bottega d’arte presepiale Cantone & Costabile. In the 16th century, when crafting Nativity scenes, St. Cajetan began to include figures that represented the customs and daily lives of local people of Neapolitan society. King Charles III of Spain, who ruled the kingdoms of Naples and Sicily from 1735 to 1759, took an interest in these Nativity scenes. As a result, crèches were no longer restricted to the use of the Church and clergy but rather assumed wider popularity with the laity. Consequently, a sort of “competition” for the most beautiful crèche with the richest ornamentation and largest number of figures exploded in the court of Naples. The clothing choices for the figures are extensive. These scenes incorporate men and women of all social classes and ages from the kingdoms of Sicily and Naples. The display reproduces part of the Campagna countryside with its rocky outcroppings, where the three scenes of the Neapolitan crèche are set: the manger, the Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the inn. This Neapolitan crèche was put together specifically for the 2014 exhibition Buon Natale: Crèches of Italy. It was created by Bottega d’arte presepiale Cantone & Costabile, a family-owned business in Naples that continues to make Neapolitan crèche figures using the same techniques and methods as artisans of the 18th century. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Accession # 2015.6
Nativity scene depicting Holy Family within grotto surrounded by those paying homage, including St. Francis of Assisi.
Nativity scene depicting Holy Family within grotto surrounded by those paying homage, including St. Francis of Assisi.
Célébrons 800 ans de la crèche
Crèche, "St. Francis Nativity with The Shepherds’ Stable" by Navidad Nativities (Setting) and Ulpe Wood Art (Figures). Nativity scene depicting Holy Family within grotto surrounded by those paying homage, including St. Francis of Assisi. This crèche was made in honor of the very first Nativity scene, which was created by St. Francis of Assisi in Greccio, Italy, in 1223. The piece has two settings: The St. Francis Nativity and the Shepherds’ Stable. Both settings feature a grotto, or small cave, that resembles the hills of the Italian region of Umbria, where the towns of both Assisi and Greccio are located. The St. Francis Nativity includes a figure of St. Francis, and a piece of rock nearby the figure that comes from Greccio. The Shepherds’ Stable features the shepherds who have come to pay homage to the Christ Child. Source: Knights of Columbus Museum Inc. Collection Museum Object # 2024.17.1