Is Nativity Scene Art?

What is art?

This question has sparked endless debates throughout history, so don't expect a definitive answer or an extensive treatise. However, we can highlight some key ideas that are often mentioned when addressing this topic.

To answer, let's set aside nativity scene art for a moment and focus on a broader question: what is considered art?

I'll explain it very simply: art is a way for humans to express what they feel, what they think, and the stories they want to tell. Over time, many forms of art have emerged, reflecting different cultures and ways of seeing the world. But art is not just about expression: it also makes us think, helps show a community's identity, allows innovation with new techniques, and can even connect with the spiritual. Throughout history, art has changed and adapted, proving that there is no single way to understand it.

1. Expressing Emotions or Ideas

A painter, a sculptor, a poet, a musician, or any artist from this list   tries to show what they feel, what they think, the ideas that emerge from their creative process, their way of seeing and interpreting the world, and their unique style through what they create. However, art can also be an aesthetic exploration, a collective manifestation, or an expression of faith. For a creation to be considered a work of art, it must take a tangible or material form, as an idea alone is not enough; art is recognized through its execution and the experience it generates in others.

An idea is only the starting point; what turns it into art is its materialization through technique, form, and the artist’s interpretation. A commission, such as a portrait or the depiction of a historical event, does not make the client the author of the work. The difference between a mere concept and a work of art lies in the way the artist brings it to life. Without the artist, that idea would remain just a thought in their mind. Throughout history, art has not been defined solely by the subject or idea but by how the artist transforms it into a unique aesthetic experience.

While anyone can express themselves creatively, art requires knowledge of technique and artistic language. Training, whether academic or self-taught, allows the artist to control their expression, innovate, and engage with artistic tradition. Without references or learning, creation is instinctive but could hardly be considered art in the fullest sense of the term.

2. What Have Philosophers Said About Art?

Plato believed that art was merely an imitation of reality.

Aristotle argued that art had an emotional purpose (catharsis): helping us release emotions.

Kant thought that art was something we enjoy for its own sake, without needing a practical purpose.

Hegel saw it as a way for humanity to express its essence and history.

In summary, art has been understood in many ways, but it is always linked to creativity, emotion, and human experience.

3. The Place and the Way It Is Displayed

Sometimes, an ordinary object can become "art" if someone decides to place it in a museum and explain why it is special. On the other hand, if it is in a house and no one pays attention to it, it might just seem like an everyday object.

A famous example is the Bottle Rack, considered the first "authentic" readymade by Marcel Duchamp. It is simply an everyday object that Duchamp exhibited as a work of art, changing the way people perceived it.

This demonstrates that, depending on where and how an object is presented, it can become something that people value as art.

4. What the Viewer Feels

Art makes people stop, observe, and think. If a painting or a song makes us feel something special or leads us to reflect, it is often considered art.

5. Recognition by the Public and Experts

What people and museums recognize as art also plays a role. Although it is not the only way to determine if something is art, if many people consider something to be art, it becomes easier for us to see it that way.

5. Creativity

Art is said to exist when someone creates something new or presents their vision of the world in a unique way. It doesn’t have to be something never seen before, but it should reflect the artist’s personality or perspective.

A Nativity scene is art insofar as it seeks to evoke an emotion in those who contemplate it, whether through its beauty, composition, or symbolic meaning. The aesthetic experience of a Nativity scene is not only in its form but also in the emotional and spiritual connection it generates.

As long as it is seen only as a "Christmas tradition," it will continue to be marginalized within the art world.

If Nativity scene artistry has everything that makes a work of art, why is it not recognized as such?

Why do some people not consider the Nativity scene as art?

Is it because they perceive it merely as a decorative arrangement, similar to setting the table for Christmas Eve dinner?

The soup plate on top of the dinner plate, aligned in front of the chair; the knife and spoon on the right, the fork on the left. In the Nativity scene, Baby Jesus lies in his manger, the Virgin Mary is on his right, Saint Joseph on his left, the ox and the donkey in their place, and everything illuminated by an angel, just as the table is by a candle. Is it merely a matter of order and tradition, or is there something deeper? If the arrangement of elements in a painting or sculpture is considered art, why wouldn't it be the same for a Nativity scene?

When we look at a well-set table, we may feel satisfied or well taken care of. However, when we carefully observe a work of art, it transmits far more sensations than just a plate placed on a table. In Nativity scene artistry, there is something we cannot ignore: the figures. When we see them, they transmit a message and an emotion, they persuade us. They are not just decorative objects but speak to us with their presence. For Christians, their meaning is immediate: we recognize the scene, understand its symbolism, and feel its depth. So, if art is not just about form but also about meaning and expression, why wouldn't the Nativity scene be considered as such?