Sisters of Bethlehem Nativity

SISTERS OF BETHLEHEM NATIVITY

Sisters of Bethlehem

France

Cast stone

2019

This Nativity was made in a French monastery by members of the Sisters of Bethlehem, a Roman Catholic religious order. The figures, inspired by the art of the Romanesque and Gothic periods of medieval history, are handmade using dolomite stone from the Pyrenees in southern France. The stone is crushed and materials are added so that it can be cast and painted.

According to the Sisters of Bethlehem, the creation of art is an important part of their daily monastic life: “The artwork of the monks and monastic sisters is not only a means for each monastery to earn its daily bread, but it is also a service of the Church. This Christian art is meant to be an expression of faith, an unveiling of the Mystery of God, who is Beauty and Goodness. Man is called to enter into this Mystery” (english.bethleem.org).