The Nativity scene, the central symbol of the Feast of the Nativity of
Christ, was originally placed in churches and in the homes of wealthy
bourgeoisie. Only later was the practice taken up by farmers, where there were
few opportunities to buy original nativity statues made of wood or other more
durable materials. Such arts and crafts were expensive and there were not
enough makers to meet demand. Therefore, paper cribs on printed sheets, from
which figures were cut out and placed in the crib landscape, became very
popular as a low-cost option. Foreign nativity scenes, such as those still
issued today, especially by the nativity scene museums in the German region,
became widespread in Slovenia, and later on, several local artists painted
nativity scenes of this kind. Paper nativity scenes were also painted by France
Gorše and published in the Slovenec 1942 Calendar. Gorše depicted an
authentic Slovenian nativity scene with a snow-covered stable and people in
native costumes, which is particularly significant as the nativity scene was
published during the occupation, when the Slovenec Calendar was also
"adorned" with images of the Italian King Victor Emmanuel III and the
fascist leader Benito Mussolini.
5 December 2024– 8 January 2025
National Gallery of Slovenia
Prešernova 24
1000 Ljubljana