Belgian authorities are investigating the theft of an infant Jesus figure from a Christmas Nativity scene in Brussels, an icon that had previously drawn widespread online scorn for its unusual design.
The figure was snatched from its crib in the Grand Place between late Friday night and early Saturday morning.
This particular depiction of the infant Jesus, part of a larger Nativity display, became the subject of a social media maelstrom due to its characters lacking distinct facial features such as eyes, noses and mouths.
Artist Victoria-Maria Geyer created the cloth figures with the intention that “every Catholic, regardless of their background or origins can identify themselves” in the biblical narrative, hoping the featureless forms would resonate with observers globally.
However, the design was not universally appreciated. Georges-Louis Bouchez, leader of Belgium’s center-right MR party, publicly criticized the artwork on X, stating that Ms Geyer’s cloth figures “in no way represent the spirit of Christmas”.
He went further, likening the figures to “zombie-like” individuals often seen at train stations.
The theft of the controversial figure now adds another layer of intrigue to the already much-discussed Nativity scene.
Last year more than four million people visited the Christmas market in the center of Brussels’ historic old city to sip mulled wine and hot chocolate and shop at 238 vendors of toys, clothes and ornaments.
The center of the square is an enormous Christmas tree looming over a simple white tent holding the manger scene with the figures made by Ms Geyer, a self-professed devout Catholic.
Her work was selected by both the local Catholic Church and the City of Brussels in an annual tradition, said Delphine Romanus, deputy director of Brussels Major Events, which manages the manger and market.
Early reports that the infant Jesus had been beheaded are false, but Ms Romanus said that in the past other baby Jesus figurines have been broken or stolen.
An initial deluge of negative comments on social media has turned positive, Ms Geyer said.
Authorities have already replaced the baby Jesus in the crib. Organisers and security say they will keep a closer eye on the manger, but they have not taken any additional precautions.
Staring at the new baby Jesus, Brussels resident Francis De Laveleye shook his head and said that arguments of artistic merit should never descend into such a sordid affair.
