The Di Virgilio artisan workshop, today managed by Gennaro, has an ancient history. of four generations. As far back as 1820, great-grandparents built saints in church bells. The grandfather then brought the tradition of the Neapolitan nativity scene back to Naples, taking inspiration from the artists of the 18th century. Father Rosario specialized in Neapolitan nativity scenes, those with the broken column and the cork scenography known as the rock.
Gennaro represents the fourth generation and has taken up the work of his grandparents, creating Neapolitan shepherds in the style of the eighteenth century and also creating figurines representing characters from current affairs and entertainment.
The technique used by the Di Virgilios is that of tradition: the terracotta head is made by hand, the hands and feet are made of wood, the eyes are made of crystal, the body is made of wire covered with hemp. The fabric of the clothes is silk embroidered in the artisan workshops of San Leucio.
The idea of creating figurines dedicated to characters from the world of entertainment, sport and politics was born in the 90s when there was Tangentopoli: Gennnaro and his father introduced this innovation, starting with Antonio Di Pietro, and over the years we have always created new characters, such as Eduardo De Filippo, Totò or Pietro Savastano, protagonist of the Gomorra series.
Via San Gregorio Armeno, 18/20/43
80138 Napoli
Ph 081 552 40 64
www.divirgilioart.com
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