Venice, January 3rd, 2022 – One is set in a tiny little Venice, one is made of biscuits whilst, in addition to the typical nativity scenes, statues representing the Guardia di Finanza police officers wearing their uniform are included. These nativity scenes are displayed at the exhibition of Palazzo Corner Mocenigo, which is the seat of the Regional Command of the Guardia di Finanza. In the year of its most important anniversary, the 1600 years from its foundation, the exhibition allows visitors to admire the creativity and expertise of venetian craftsmen, soldiers and enthusiasts who have contributed to realise these tiny works of art. Here, inside the rooms of this historical palace in Campo San Polo, these tiny landscapes are displayed. Built by people who love Christmas and know how to put together imagination and manual skills to realise these views, every character, every place, and every scene recreated have a reason to be there, from shepherds, farmers who feed their animals, ladies who dries their clothes to butchers preparing to sell products inside their own shops.
This fascinating exhibition, in which several works of art are represented, is owned by the Guardia di Finanza (Italian law enforcement agency) police officers, collectors and private enthusiasts, offering the opportunity to admire not only the traditional composition created by venetian artists, but also luxurious dioramas.
The exhibition begins in the first rooms of the Regional Command of the Guardia di Finanza, which hosts nativity scenes kept inside glass cases, aiming at recreating the typical landscapes that usually host nativity scenes. The very same room also hosts other works of art, such as the one of Lisa Righi, a nativity scene made of biscuits, or again, an exhibition of ancient toy soldiers. Nevertheless, the most astonishing piece displayed is the nativity scene set in a tiny little Venice where Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus are laid at the feet of the Basilica della Salute and are surrounded by the magic atmosphere of historical palaces that rise upon venetian waters. Developed by General Bruno Buratti, this gem of the venetian craftsmanship every year enriched itself with new pieces that are realised by the greatest artisans of the city. Inside the second room of the exhibition, other representations of the nativity scenes are displayed. From the most classic examples to the most original ones, from the tiniest to the ones able to recreate huge landscapes of the nativity scene. Moreover, a very special nativity, which combines the magic of the nativity and the history of the palace, including some shepherds wearing the historical Guardia di Finanza uniform, is displayed.
The nativity scenes exhibition, curated by the Regional Command, in partnership with the Association “Amici dei Presepi Spinea” (Friends of the Nativity Scenes of Spinea) has been realised in relation to the exhibition “I Presepi nella Terra dei Tiepolo” (Nativity Scenes in the Land of Tiepolo), which this year celebrates the eight edition. The admission is free until January 6th, 2022, according to these timetables:
- On working days: from 10am to 12am
- On Saturdays and holidays: from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 4pm
To know more: www.palazzocornermocenigo.it