The exhibition exhibited at the cloister of the Sanctuary of San Francesco in Paola, on the occasion of Holy Christmas 2025, offers a suggestive presentation of Christmas material through “holy cards”, engravings, letters and postcards, which underline a religious illustration deeply linked to worship and popular devotion. The material exhibited from Giancarlo Gualtieri’s collection has the merit of introducing the public to a world of art and devotion that extends from the 17th century to the present day, illustrating iconographic themes ranging from the classical nativity, to shepherds, angels and the Three Kings.
The exhibition presented by Giovanni Amendola and Marco Mele, president of the Collezionare Rende cultural association, scheduled until January 11, 2026, was commissioned by Father Domenico Crupi, Sacrist and Vicar of the Regional Sanctuary of San Francesco who favored the exhibition of all this material in a prestigious and spiritually engaging location, such as the magnificent cloister of the Sanctuary.
The exhibition itinerary follows the evangelical sources, in particular Luke’s story, with images of the Annunciation to the shepherds, the Adoration of the Child and the arrival of the Magi. Over time, the figure of baby Jesus also takes on new symbols: he is depicted alone with doves, a lamb, a lily or with the signs of the Passion, sometimes as King of the world with the cruciger globe.
The “Dressed Children”
Large space is dedicated to the Clothed Children, works created between the 18th and 20th centuries in convent environments: collages of fine fabrics such as satin, silk or velvet, with golden paper halos. The support can be in the shape of a bag or chalice and the Child is depicted in swaddling clothes or with a tunic, often colored by hand or in chromolithograph.
The section dedicated to children
A part of the exhibition is designed for the little ones, with images of the bearers of gifts such as Saint Nicholas and the Christkind. The Christmas letters are touching, especially those from the war period, decorated with glitter and applied images, testimonies of a Christmas lived between hope and distant affections.
Postcards, traditions and curiosities from the world
Also on display are postcards that show the evolution of Christmas between the end of the 19th century and the post-war period: reindeer, sleighs, families celebrating that tell of the customs and styles of the past. A rarity are the dried pipal tree leaves, painted with Christmas scenes and coming from India.
Paper and Franciscan greccio nativity scenes
The conclusion is dedicated to the re-enactment of the Nativity of Greccio (1223), with holy cards and Liebig figurines. A special section illustrates paper nativity scenes, born in the 17th century in the Germanic area and then widespread in Italy, from the oldest hand-painted models to scenographic theaters to cut out.