The aesthetics of the Neapolitan Nativity scene

La experiencia helenista napolitana constituye uno de los capítulos más originales de la creación artística del siglo XVIII, culminación de un largo proceso iniciado en la Edad Media, a Jo largo del cual el belén deja deser un instrumento de catequesis para convertirse en un entretenimiento laico, de moda entre las élites del rococó. Su estética será la propia del periodo en que se desarrolla, encontrando en la ensoñación campesina, la representación animalística y la evocación de mundos exóticos sus principales recursos expresivos.The Neapolitan tradition of Nativity scenes is one of the most original artistic manifestations of the 18th century. lt is the culmination of a lengthy process which began in the Middle Ages and during which theNativity scene gradually ceased to be a means of catechising and became a lay entertainment, very much in fashion among the elite of the Rococo period. lts aesthetic features are those of the period during which it was developed, involving an idealisation of the country and its people, the careful representation of animals and the evocation of other more exotic places