Last Christmas, in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV stepped up and prayed at a nativity scene with characters created by Federico Iaccarino. For the nativity scene artisan, it was one of his proudest moments.
Iaccarino’s creations can be found all along the Sorrento Coast, in Rome, and are also displayed in various cities across the world, from New York City to Madrid. His work first gained renown in Meta, where Iaccarino first opened his workshop after finishing school. Today, he continues to navigate and piece together the wooden limbs, terracotta sculptures and glass eyes that ultimately form shepherds, angels, animals and other characters. Today, his name is practically synonymous with nativity scene art.
Federico Iaccarino’s Nativity Art began in Meta and has spread across the world
“It’s all about balancing colors and shapes—something that certainly comes naturally over time,” Iaccarino said. “The most complex part is placing the figures within the scene and creating a complete setting.”
Within Iaccarino’s workshop, every person, piece of clothing and hairstyle is copied from figures that actually existed during the 18th century. Every scene replicates a specific piece of the history of the Kingdom of Naples, inspired by ancient work found across museums and churches.
“The Neapolitan nativity scene serves as a snapshot of the Kingdom of Naples,” Iaccarino said. “It allows people—even the youngest—to understand what life was like back then. It captures a piece of history in an almost photographic image, preserving traditions, the food people ate, and the clothing they wore.”
Working with his wife
His wife Chiara, paints his works.
“The aptitude for painting is something innate that comes from within, so it cannot be taught. She likely possesses a natural gift. When she started out, it didn’t take her long to achieve excellent results,” he said.
Nativity art isn’t something that Iaccarino wants isolated to his Meta workshop; rather, he hopes to spread the tradition to younger generations.
In 2025, he led the initiative “Creation of the Baby Jesus” in Piano di Sorrento, a Christmas workshop where participants could learn the techniques of the nativity scene tradition and create a baby Jesus assembled and painted in the traditional way.
“I always encourage young people to explore this field. It is a very diverse world with many different facets,” Iaccarino said. “Of course, finding a truly passionate young person is already quite a challenge, but such an individual certainly possesses a specific quality among their various traits. Some are more drawn to sculptures, others to paintings, but the craft has so many variations. The key is simply to identify the specific area where your strengths lie so that you can find fulfillment.”
Nativity art will always hold significance along the Sorrento peninsula, though, and continues to touch foreign markets, keeping this centuries-old tradition alive.
“The art of the nativity scene is something that is part of our heritage, something we encounter every Christmas in every corner of the region,” Iaccarino said. “Neapolitan nativity sculpture is widely known and highly appreciated.”