The \u201cLapinhas\u201d nativity scene in S\u00e3o Miguel<\/b><\/p>\r\n
In S\u00e3o Miguel, the first references to nativity scenes date back to the 16th century, influenced by the establishment of the Franciscan Order on the island. However, it was in the 17th century that the first \u201clapinhas\u201d appeared, made by nuns in convents, decorated with tiny shells and artificial silk flowers, feathers, fish scales, wax, paper and cotton, from which clay figurines representing the Holy Family.<\/p>\r\n
The 18th century witnessed a greater brightness and expansion of \u201clapinhas\u201d nativity scenes in S\u00e3o Miguel, mainly due to the influence of continental sculptors, such as Machado de Castro, and it is possible to find, even today, several examples of \u201clapinhas\u201d from that time, in churches and private homes. Contributing to its decoration, it is worth noting the production of artificial flowers, or “flowers of nuns”, in convents, which had great development in that century, with the former Santo Andr\u00e9 Convent being one of the places where decorative art grew and has improved remarkably.<\/p>\r\n
As for the clay figures for the nativity scenes, they were mostly modeled locally by anonymous artisans. It is in this period of valorization and diffusion of the nativity scenes that the \u201clapinha\u201d of the high choir of the former Santo Andr\u00e9 Convent appears, in the headquarters of the Carlos Machado Museum. Inserted in a wooden dobby, with a glass door at the front, and embedded in the base of the altar of Senhor dos Passos, it allows an extended narrative, revealing in separate planes the Birth of the Child Jesus in the Bethlehem Cave, the Apparition of the Angel to the Shepherds, the Adoration of the Three Kings, the Presentation of the Child in the Temple, the Beheading of the Innocents and the Baptism of Jesus. In addition to the various clay figures, it also features various ornamental motifs, among which we highlight the small shells and the numerous dried and artificial flowers, elements that contribute to an exuberant framework of color and expression.<\/p>\r\n
In the 19th century, the nativity scenes came under the domain of popular art and, in S\u00e3o Miguel, the \u201clapinhas\u201d continue to be produced in a domestic space and on a private basis, coexisting with the characteristic \u201cAltars do Menino Jesus.\u201d It should be noted that these \u201clapinhas\u201d remained on display throughout the year, placed on top of the bedroom dresser.<\/p>\r\n
With the foundation of factories where clay was baked, glazed and painted, in the village of Lagoa, in the second half of the 19th century, there was an expansion and improvement of nativity scenes, which started to be produced using the mold technique. In this popular art, we highlight the craftsmen’s concern to represent not only the typical characters of the nativity scene, but also everyday scenes, such as the slaughter of the pig, the woman at the fountain, processions and various figures, including revelers, women in cloak and hood, man with a hood, priest, peasant, fisherman, or music bands, among others. Currently, local artisans continue to dedicate themselves, with dedication and precious skill, to the production of \u201clapinhas\u201d, in gadgets or domes, helping to keep alive one of the most beautiful demonstrations of the religiosity of the Azorean people. [SFS]<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The \u201cLapinhas\u201d nativity scene in S\u00e3o Miguel In S\u00e3o Miguel, the first references to nativity scenes date back to the 16th century, influenced by the establishment of the Franciscan Order on the island. However, it was in the 17th century that the first \u201clapinhas\u201d appeared, made by nuns in convents, decorated with tiny shells and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[307],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n