Titles

Art of the Crèche
Nativities from Around the World

James L. Govan
Merrell Publishers
October 2007
ISBN: 1858944023
Hardcover, 200 color illustrations

One of the most enduring and universal Christmas traditions is the crèche, or the Nativity scene: a representation of the story of Christ’s birth. This beautiful book reveals the worldwide appeal and custom of the crèche and the diversity of creative expression displayed in this art form. Crèche artists featured include a first-generation American firefighter devoted to preserving the Spanish Colonial santos tradition; a woman who served in the Dutch resistance during the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands; a Jesuit who worked with Cambodian landmine victims and who carved a nativity with Khmer features; and a carver from New Zealand whose work is based on Maori traditions.

Author Bio

James L. Govan is a collector of contemporary crèches and the Founding President of the Friends of the Crèche society. He is a former international aid and development worker. With his late wife, Emilia Govan, he searhed all corners of the world for unique and unusual nativities.