The Lecce papier-mâché represents one of the most unique and fascinating artistic traditions of Salento. This ancient and lightweight art form arose from the need to decorate churches and sacred spaces without resorting to costly materials like marble or bronze. It was here that Lecce artisans, with their ingenuity and creativity, transformed paper into expressive sacred sculptures that became symbolic elements of the region

 

The Origins of Lecce Papier-Mâché

 

The art of papier-mâché dates back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The need to create sacred, evocative environments in churches without high costs inspired local artisans’ creativity. These papier-mâché pioneers used humble materials like paper, straw, cloth, and plaster, crafting sculptures capable of conveying extraordinary spirituality.

Local barbers, who devoted their free time to crafting sacred statues in the back rooms of their shops, were among the first to embrace this art. One of the earliest known masters was Mesciu Pietru de li Cristi, a barber renowned for making crucifixes, who in turn taught the craft to Mastr’Angelo Raffaele De Augustinis and Mesciu Luigi Guerra.

Over time, Lecce papier-mâché has been passed down through generations, enriched by techniques and secrets that still make this tradition unique. Lecce’s artisans have kept this art alive, allowing it to evolve while preserving its historical and symbolic value.

 

 

Techniques and Secrets of Papier-Mâché

 

Creating a papier-mâché statue is a meticulous process that begins with shaping the support structure, made by wrapping straw in twine to form the sculpture’s core. Hands, feet, and the face are sculpted separately in terracotta and then attached to the main structure.

At this stage, the statue is covered with layers of paper, glued with a special flour-based adhesive with water and a pinch of copper sulfate to protect against pests. Once dry, artisans use small, heated spoons in a process called “fuocheggiatura” to shape and solidify the structure, giving it expression and realism.

Next, the statue is coated with plaster—often Bologna plaster—to prepare the surface for final coloring. Oil colors are applied, and precise details bring every expression and fold of the drapery to life. Some artisans even make their own “earth tones” (from umber, Siena, and cinnabar) according to ancient methods known only to insiders.

Its low cost and ease of production also made papier-mâché suitable for producing molds, copies, and affordable replicas. This accessibility, however, led to its long-standing classification as a “low-level” art form in the art hierarchy, often leaving it unpreserved despite its exceptional artistic potential.

However, this classification was challenged, notably by Vasari, one of the strongest proponents of the distinction between major and minor arts, who mentioned papier-mâché in his *Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects* (16th century). During the Renaissance, notable artists like Donatello experimented with the malleable, lightweight mixture, appreciating its expressive realism and softer form modulation, evoking deep introspection and spirituality.

After Donatello, nearly all renowned Florentine sculptors’ workshops dedicated themselves to replicating small and medium-sized papier-mâché reliefs. Popular subjects included Madonna and Child by Jacopo Sansovino, Desiderio da Settignano, Antonio Rossellino, and Benedetto da Maiano. The perfect blend of art and spirituality led to the large statues and decorations of Lecce’s Baroque style. Even today, the lightness of these statues allows them to be carried in the picturesque Holy Week processions, a major attraction in Puglia.

 

Papier-Mâché and Spirituality: The Papier-Mâché Museum

 

In Lecce’s historic center, the Papier-Mâché Museum celebrates this tradition with a collection of works representing centuries of history and devotion. Located in the Castello di Carlo V, near Piazza Sant’Oronzo, the museum hosts around 80 artworks, offering visitors a journey through the evolution of this ancient technique.

 

 

Established in 2009, the museum has helped preserve and promote papier-mâché art, making it accessible to new generations and visitors from around the world. Walking through the museum’s displays immerses visitors in Salento’s culture and history, unveiling the symbolic and religious significance of these sculptures.

 

 

 

Papier-Mâché Today: A Living and Renewing Art

Today, Lecce papier-mâché extends beyond sacred works, embracing a wide range of subjects and styles. Artisans continue to create nativity scenes, statues, and sacred reproductions, but their workshops also produce dolls, masks, interior decorations, and design objects. Papier-mâché has become a form of contemporary expression, capturing tradition while adapting to new aesthetics.

During the Christmas season, Lecce celebrates its craft tradition with the “Antica Fiera dei Presepi e dei Pupi” (Old Fair of Nativity Scenes and Puppets), known as the Santa Lucia Fair. This event, akin to Naples’ famous San Gregorio Armeno, takes place between Piazza Sant’Oronzo and Piazza Duomo, where visitors can purchase papier-mâché works created by local masters. The fair provides a unique opportunity to experience the beauty of papier-mâché and enjoy Salento’s holiday atmosphere.

During the holidays, the former Teatini convent on Via Vittorio Emanuele also hosts an exhibition of artistic nativity scenes. Here, visitors can admire works by master papier-mâché artists and their students, offering a glimpse into the passion and dedication that still drives this ancient art today.

 

A Journey to Salento: Discovering Lecce Papier-Mâché

Lecce and Salento, with their traditions and history, make an ideal year-round destination, especially in winter when the city comes alive with cultural events and Christmas markets. Strolling through Lecce’s historic center is a unique experience, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in a rare baroque setting among churches, palaces, and artisan workshops.

A trip to Salento during the Christmas season is a perfect opportunity to discover papier-mâché art, admire the works displayed at fairs and museums, and purchase unique souvenirs to take home. Lecce papier-mâché is a true cultural treasure that, thanks to the dedication of local artisans, continues to enchant generations of visitors.