Colombia

The following Nativities are each displayed in a unique permanent setting created by Marian Library Crèche Collection volunteers. The descriptive text for each was written by Father Johann Roten, S.M.

Tree Ballet
Paula Cuellar of Personitas de Colección (Bogotá)

Paula Cuellar of Personitas de Colección (Bogotá) creates magic with childlike faces of hand-painted ceramic, and figures richly clothed in suede and leather. Magic begets delight—a child's delight—when Arlequin and Alejo, the angel, the mime called Marcel, and Rosa la Primorosa and Margarita de la Suerte perform a ballet in the trees.

– ML.2510

From the Earth
Unknown artist
Clay

Earth-bound and sturdy, figures of the earth painfully emerging from the formless mass of grayish clay: This is one of the first impressions conveyed by this set. Solid, stable, and powerful, say the figures for themselves. The general atmosphere is one of great intensity and concentration, of a huddled mass centered on the Christ Child. The faces are marked by the lines of time and the furrows of hardship and pain. But there is also the light of a smile coming from within. It timidly wanders around the faces to eventually co-mingle and fuse with the golden halos and caps. From the earth, the figures have achieved some freedom from the earth. Enough freedom to greet and cherish the one who came from heaven.

[Elisabeth van Mullekom Collection]

– MLA.337