Man
second half 18th century
Medium
Polychromed terracotta head and wooden limbs; body of wire wrapped in tow; cotton and silk garments with silver thread-wrapped buttons; leather belt with gold buckle
Dimensions
H. 15 7/8 in. (40.3 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
64.164.101
Tags
Art Historical Context
This exquisite terracotta figure, titled *Man* by Neapolitan artist Lorenzo Mosca from the second half of the 18th century, embodies pinnacle of Naples' renowned crèche tradition. Crafted as part of elaborate *presepi*—elaborate nativity scenes central to Christmas celebrations in southern Italy—the sculpture depicts a lifelike male figure, likely a shepherd or bystander in the Holy Family's story. Measuring just 15⅞ inches tall, its polychromed terracotta head captures intricate facial details and expressive features, while wooden limbs, a wire-and-tow body, and finely tailored cotton-silk ga...