The
French revolution is at the origin of the santons of Provence.
In 1789, the churches became "property of the state"
and in 1792, the national assembly decided to close them all,
because the clergy ruled over everyuone and collected taxes.
The priests, who were the most learned and influential figures,
regulated the population however they wanted and the new assembly
had a lot of problems putting thier policies into place. By
ordering the closing of the churches, the curés no longer
had any contact with population and the new policies were easier
to carry out.
But the people, who were used to going to church ay Christmas
to see the nativity scenes, could no longer enter, so they started
to make them at home, but in secret, because it was forbidden.
And it was in Provence where that took place.
At the time, they made tiny little figuresd that they could
easily hide. Because it was forbidden, they had to be very careful
to not get caught as they risked the guillotine. The authorities
were very severe at that time. And these tiny figures were little
saints : Joseph, Mariy, Jesus and the pet name for saint is
Santons. Santons = little saints or Santouns in Provençal.
These ilttle figures were made with whatever was handy, but
mostly with the white from bread or papier mâché,
as masks were made. High up, near the smallest nativity scene
in the world, you will see litle santons made of bread.
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In 1798,
a monsieur from Marseille named Jean Louis Lagnel was walking
in the countryside around Aubagnel. It must have rained because
he noticed some earth that kept sticking to his shoes. He just
couldn't get rid of it: it was clay. He picked it up in his
hands and saw it could be easily worked. He made a small nativity
scene which he was able to sell immediately, and continued to
make more and thus was born the occupation of santon-maker.
It is since the closing of the churces in France in 1792, that
many catholic families set up their own nativity scenes in their
homes. Before it had been forbidden, remaining a privilege of
the church. Saint Francis of Assisi brought the nativity scene
into the churches by creating a living nativity scene in 1223,
in the Piedmont area of Italie.
As time went by, the figures grew in size; they were dressed,
painted and they spread to represent people of the villages,
the old trades and occupations, a Provençal nativity
scene was created as well as a truly beautiful history.
Today there are between 100 and 120 Santon-makers throughout
Provence and who live from this art
In this museum, the only santon museum referred in the main
tour guides: Michelin, Routard- Hachette, etc, more then 2000
santons, 60 nativity scenes and works by more than 95 Santon-makers
from throughout Povence.
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