This lecture explores the history behind one of New York City’s most beautiful and beloved Christmas traditions: The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Neapolitan Baroque Angel Tree and Nativity Scene. We will dive into the story behind the female artist and collector, Loretta Hines Howard, whose incredible vision and generosity led to the creation of this annual tradition, as well as the story behind many of the 18th-century artists and objects themselves.

Presenter: Mallory Mortillaro serves as the Curator of Collections for the Hartley Dodge Foundation in Madison, N.J. While she was cataloging the artwork housed inside of the Hartley Dodge Memorial, she uncovered a masterpiece that had been lost to the art world since the 1930’s. After a year of research, the piece was authenticated as an official work by Auguste Rodin. In addition, Mallory is an art historian and educator.  She has ten years of teaching experience and has worked on various art research projects for museums and organizations in the New York metropolitan area.  She studied at Drew University.  Mallory resides in New Jersey with her husband and daughter.