Angel
18th century
Medium
Polychromed terracotta head; wooden limbs and wings; body of wire wrapped in tow; various fabrics
Dimensions
H. 16 in. (40.6 cm.)
Classification
Crèche
Culture
Italian, Naples
Department
European Sculpture and Decorative Arts
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Loretta Hines Howard, 1964
Accession Number
64.164.48a–c
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the delicate "Angel," a masterpiece of 18th-centuryapolitan artistry crafted by Giuseppe Sanmartino, a master sculptor renowned for his lifelike terracotta figures. This enchanting piece hails from the vibrant tradition of *presepi* (crèches), elaborate Nativity scenes that adorned aristocratic homes and churches in Naples during the era. Standing just 16 inches tall, it captures the ethereal grace of an angel heralding the Christmas story, reflecting Naples' deep Catholic devotion and theatrical flair. Sanmartino's genius shines in the mixed-media construction: a polychromed terracott...