This Week In New York

CHRISTMAS TREE AND NEAPOLITAN BAROQUE CRÈCHE

The Met’s Christmas tree is filled with peaceful little scenes featuring lovely figures of angels, people, and animals (photo by twi-ny/mdr)

Metropolitan Museum of Art
Medieval Art Sculpture Hall, first floor
Through January 6
212-535-7710
www.metmuseum.org

Once again the Met’s annual Christmas tree has risen in front of a 1763 Choir Screen from the Cathedral of Valladolid, and it will remain on view through the Epiphany on January 6. The tall spruce is surrounded by eighteenth-century cherubs, angels, and miniature Neapolitan handmade figures, from the collection of Loretta Hines Howard, acting out the Nativity (or crèche), some created by such well-respected sculptors as Giuseppe Sammartino, Salvatore di Franco, Giuseppe Gori, and Angelo Viva. Be sure to walk all around the tree to see all the little scenes that are going on around the bustling town. And the Met now allows non-flash photography of the tree, so you can take pictures as well.