Under the title “Searching for an Inn”, the Salzburg Museum presents Christmas nativity scenes from the eighteenth to the twentieth century drawn from its extensive nativity collection. The exhibition features both the illusionistic style of Baroque nativity scenes and the landscape-based representations characteristic of twentieth-century regional nativity scenes (Heimatkrippen). This year, special attention is given to three objects that mark important stages in the development of local nativity art.
Among the highlights is one of the most significant acquisitions made by the museum in the past eighty years. This Christmas nativity scene was created in the 1780s by the renowned Salzburg sculptor family Hitzl for a merchant family residing in the city. The nativity landscape, figures, and backdrop form a magnificent ensemble and represent an outstanding example of nativity craftsmanship. The Salzburg Museum Association acquired the nativity scene in 2017.
Another central exhibit is a newly restored Baroque box nativity scene (Kastenkrippe). The object was the subject of a diploma thesis at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna. Previously dated broadly to the eighteenth century, extensive research has now demonstrated that it was in fact created around 1750.
Between 1930 and 1935, the sculptor Hans Mauracher, a native of the Zillertal valley, created the Richard Mayr Nativity Scene, a work unique in the world of nativity art. For the nativity setting, he chose Salzburg’s famous Felsenreitschule (Rock Riding School). Instead of traditional shepherd figures, he modelled representations of the celebrated opera singer Richard Mayr wearing original costumes from his performances at the Vienna Court Opera. The nativity scene was commissioned by the actress Berthe Marie Denk, wife of the renowned opera singer Richard Mayr.
This work is not only a highly distinctive example of a regional nativity scene but also a unique attempt to apply the concept of cultural commemoration and monument preservation to the tradition of the Christmas nativity scene.
