Although it is not really a fairytale in the strict sense, it is a wonderful tale, handed down over the centuries, which forms the basis of the current beautiful period we are entering.
Christmas.
The very concept of the “magic night”, “holy night”, “silent night” revolves around the fact that in the night between December 24th and 25th there is a wonderful mystery that lurks and brings joy. There has always been a streak of magic on this night.
Otherwise it cannot be explained that many other tales have chosen this night to set stories that have magic as their theme. Think of the Christmas Carol.
Or the Nutcracker. Not to mention the movies
It can be believed that the basic component is of a religious nature. But that’s not our intent. We take the story of Christmas Eve as the night in which the Child Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the most romantic, magical and traditional sense it possesses.
The basis of the creation of the Nativity scene.
An idea of magic (of divine origin) that gave life in the following centuries to other types of magic told in books and stories.
But the concept that continued to involve the collective imagination (and the corresponding iconography) was all based on that wonderful mystery, which still fascinates us today and pushes us to celebrate, with a long series of fascinating traditions from all over the world, precisely that night.
And the intention for which The Blue Drop created FairyTale.
The story is well known, it can be said that it is officially part of Christian folklore: Joseph from Nazareth and the young Mary, his pregnant wife, are on their way to go and take the census. The time has come to give birth and they find no room in any hotel or inn in Bethlehem.
Therefore, they take refuge in a cold and dark stable, where they find warmth from the breath of their animals, an ox and a donkey (symbolic animals among other things). To pay homage after birth, a group of meek shepherds with a willing heart who were guided by a shining star appeared in the sky to the hut.
The mystery of birth, the adoration of the humblest, the scenography of absolute poverty: all details that emanate the true meaning of what Christmas should be.
Availability towards others, generosity, simplicity. The gifts that are exchanged under the tree are a reference to those gifts that the shepherds brought. Although they, in the most poetic version, brought only respect, joy, adoration and songs.
In the most practical version, they also brought the family something they might need, such as food, milk, wood …
In the contemporary version, pajamas, creams and perfumes and Ipods are worn. But the beauty of Christmas is also this.
Correggio, in his enchanting work of 1525, shows in the scene the exact moment in which the shepherds have just arrived at the shed.
Into “Nativity” there are the shepherds and also some women.
One in particular (the most authentic detail of the whole composition) is letting herself be dazzled by the light emanating from the Child, which makes Mary totally enraptured and who hardly notices her new guest.
Vasari, the famous historian of contemporary art of Renaissance painters, wrote about that woman: “a woman who, wanting to physically look towards Christ, and not being able to mortal eyes suffer the light of His divinity, which with the rays par who strikes that figure, puts his hand in front of his eyes, so well expressed that it is a marvel “
The game on which Correggio plays precisely to emphasize this contrast between the extremely simple earthly sphere in which the scene takes place and at the same time his divinity is precisely the light.
In fact, the alternative title to “Nativity” is “The Night“: it is night as much as there is light to highlight it even more.
There are also angels, grouped just above the family, who, despite their divine nature, are also overwhelmed by the light wave.
The only detail less in light, Joseph in the background and completely unlit, struggling with the animals.
Wanting to interpret it with a symbolic reading, the painter wanted to be elitist and confined it to a more earthly and less divine dimension.
Christmas can be seen in many ways. It can be tradition, leisure, family, generosity. They can be gifts, lunches and dinners, themed movies, music. Maybe reunification. Some may even say nothing. For many, unfortunately, it can also be a very lonely period and for many it is just consumerism.
For art it is telling a story. A magical story.
Fairy Tale – “Dreams”
Every Thursday, even on Instagram
This post is also available in: Italian
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