Ambrosiana

The Ambrosiana was, is and must remain a source of research, dialogue, knowledge, culture and spirituality, always in the spirit of the motto that Manzoni placed as the ideal seal on Federico Borromeo’s work: ‘A steady intent in the search for and practice of the best.’

Biblioteca

The Ambrosian Library, founded by Cardinal Federico Borromeo on 1607 and inaugurated on 1609, was one of the earliest libraries to grant access to all who could read and write. It was conceived by its founder as a centre for study and culture.

Read more
Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana was established in April 1618, when Cardinal Federico Borromeo donated his collection of paintings, drawings and statues to the Biblioteca Ambrosiana, which he had founded in 1607.

Read more
Accademia

The Accademia purpose is to raise the Ambrosiana to the level of an Agora, a place devoted to fostering the dialogue between diverse peoples and heterogeneous
cultures, a crossroads between North and South, East and West.

Read more
  • Opening hours: Thursday 25/4/2024
    • Biblioteca: today we are open 9.00 - 16.50
    • Pinacoteca: today we are open 10.00-18.00
  • Piazza Pio XI, 2 Milano | t +39 02 806921
  • Hours: Thursday 25/4/2024
    • Biblioteca: today we are open 9.00 - 16.50
    • Pinacoteca: today we are open 10.00-18.00

What’s on

The program of exhibitions, conferences and meetings of the Library, Pinacoteca and Ambrosiana Academy at your fingertips.

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

Pinacoteca

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta | Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3

25/04/2024-23/07/2024
Exhibition
MOLESKINE DETOUR

Pinacoteca

MOLESKINE DETOUR

From April 15, on the occasion of Design Week, the rooms of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana will host 'Moleskine Detour', an international exhibition promoted by Moleskine and the Moleskine Foundation.

15/04/2024-14/05/2024
Exhibition
Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Recovery of the functionality of the balconies of the Sala Federiciana, Borromeo and della Rosa through the installation of lifelines

01/03/2024
NEWS
Notice for the users of the Reading Room

Biblioteca

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem

01/04/2023-30/06/2024
GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Ambrosiana

GUIDED TOURS IN ENGLISH

Every Saturday at 15.30 a guided tour of the masterpieces of the Pinacoteca, together with professional guides of our official partner AdArtem

01/04/2023-30/06/2024
Notice for the users of the Reading Room

Biblioteca

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Ambrosiana

Restoration works for the recovery of the historic balconies of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana

Recovery of the functionality of the balconies of the Sala Federiciana, Borromeo and della Rosa through the installation of lifelines

01/03/2024
NEWS
MOLESKINE DETOUR

Pinacoteca

MOLESKINE DETOUR

From April 15, on the occasion of Design Week, the rooms of the Pinacoteca Ambrosiana will host 'Moleskine Detour', an international exhibition promoted by Moleskine and the Moleskine Foundation.

15/04/2024-14/05/2024
Exhibition
THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

Pinacoteca

THE MIDDLE AGES IN MANUSCRIPT BOOKS

An itinerary through the treasures of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana curated by Federico Gallo and Stefano Martinelli Tempesta | Pinacoteca, rooms 2 and 3

25/04/2024-23/07/2024
Exhibition

The other faces of the Ambrosiana

The most magical and ancient places of Milan: the ancient Forum where Constantine, St. Ambrose, St. Augustine and Theodosius walked, and the lower Church of Santo Sepolcro, built by the Crusaders… as well as a colossal statue of St. Charles Borromeo on Lake Maggiore; a Museum-Home at the Sacro Monte of Varese; a Foundation dedicated to the promotion of young artists: this is also the Ambrosiana!
Discover the other institutions of the Ambrosiana

MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

MARCO MANTOVANI FOUNDATION

The Marco Mantovani Foundation seeks to preserve and enhance the works of the sculptor Marco Mantovani, as evidence of the life of an artist dedicated to sculpture and art.

Read more
LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

LODOVICO POGLIAGHI MUSEUM-HOME

Lodovico Pogliaghi was one of the most significant Lombard artists to live in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

Read more
CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

CHURCH OF SAN SEPOLCRO

The church of San Sepolcro was founded in 1030, when a Milanese moneyer named Rozzone built a church on the ancient Roman forum. Archbishop Ariberto d’Intimiano solemnly consecrated it to the Holy Trinity.

Read more
ROMAN FORUM

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

ROMAN FORUM

Between 1990 and 1992, archaeological excavations conducted underneath the ancient cellars of the Ambrosiana brought to light a portion of the pavement of the ancient Roman forum, the heart of Mediolanum's political, economic and religious life.

Read more
THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

THE OTHER INSTITUTIONS

THE COLOSSUS OF SAINT CHARLES IN ARONA

The Colossus of Saint Charles in Arona, which popular tradition has affectionately dubbed San Carlone, was created in the seventeenth century at the behest of Federico Borromeo, archbishop of Milan and founder of the Biblioteca Ambrosiana.

Read more

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 873 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Locked out of school, Emilio Longoni (1859-1932)
The Adoration of the Magi, Andrea Schiavone (1510-1563)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1058 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Latin astrolabe, Anonymous
Portrait of Emilia Morosini Zeltner, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
The Ambrosian Virgil of Francesco Petrarca, NA
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Giandomenico Tiepolo (1727-1804)
Portrait of a Gentleman (Michel de l’Hospital), Giovan Battista Moroni (1520-1578)
The infant Jesus with a Lamb, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Christ Crowned with Thorns, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Libro d’Ore Borromeo, Cristoforo de Predis (1440-1486)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 307 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Maternity, Mosè Bianchi (1840-1904)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 139 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1069 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Self Portrait, Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844)
The Adoration of the Magi, Pier Francesco Mazzucchelli also known as Morazzone (1571-1626)
Portrait of Bernardino da Lesmo, Bartolomeo Veneto (1502-1530)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 104 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Mary Magdalene, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 33 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Last Supper, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
Plato, Giovanni Antonio Piatti (1447-1480)
The Adoration, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Laocoon (copy of the Vatican original), Leone Leoni
Christ on the Way to Calvary, Giovanni Busi detto Cariani (1480-1547)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 719 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of Napoleon King of Italy, Andrea Appiani (1754-1817)
Octagonal casket, Bottega degli Embriachi (XIV-XV secolo)
Seascape, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Figured casket, Scultore lombardo
The Magdalen and the Angel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Diana the Huntress, Joachim Friess (XVI-XVII secolo)
Flowers and Roses, Gaetano Previati (1852-1920)
Noctes Atticae, Aulo Gellio
A Soul in Purgatory, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
The Annunciation, Gerolamo Mazzola Bedoli (1500-1569)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 49 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Saint John the Baptist, Gian Giacomo Caprotti
The Holy Family with Sain John, Tobias and the Archangel Raphael, Bonifacio Veronese (1487-1553)
The Martyrdom of Saint Peter of Verona, Alessandro Bonvicino detto Moretto (1490-1554)
Portrait of Alessandro Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Portrait of a Pilgrim, Monogrammista HL (XVI secolo)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 26 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Horse’s head (Copy from the equestrian monument to Marcus Aurelius on the Capitol in Rome), NA
The Dormition of the Virgin, Anonimo ferrarese (XV secolo)
Susanna at her Bath, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
De divina proportione, Luca Pacioli (1445 circa – 1517)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 3 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Blessed Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Portrait of Giovanni Battista Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Self Portrait, Antonio Canova (1757-1822)
The Madonna and Child with Saint John the Evangelist and Saint John the Baptist, Marco d’Oggiono (1470-1525)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 21 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Nautilus shell, Sconosciuto
The Holy Family with Saint John the Baptist, Ubertini Francesco detto Bachiacca (1494-1557)
Landscape with Saint John the Baptist, Paul Bril (1554-1626)
Allegory of Fire, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Arco della Pace in Milan, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Man in Armour, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis, Ambito di Francesco Albani (1578-1660)
Mary Magdalene Penitent, Guido Reni (1575-1642)
The Madonna and Child with a Worshipper, Bernardino Betti detto il Pinturicchio (1454-1513)
Naturalis Historia, Plinio il Vecchio (23-79 dC)
Basket of fruit, Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1571-1610)
llias picta, NA
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 272 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Pietà (copy from Michelangelo), Leone Leoni
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 145 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Still Life with Musical Instruments, Evaristo Baschenis (1617-1677)
Portrait of Peter Leopold of Habsburg-Lorraine (later Leopold II), Anton Raphael Mengs (1728-1779)
Winter Landscape with Skaters, Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634)
Allegorical Female Figure, Giovanni Serodine (1600-1631)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 4 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 72 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Display case with the hair of Lucrezia Borgia, Alfredo Ravasco
Moses and the Brazen Serpent, Cesare Ligari (1716-1770)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 851 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, Pietro Antonio Magatti (1691-1767)
Napoleon Bonaparte’s gloves, NA
The Adoration of the Magi, Maestro del Santo Sangue (XVI secolo)
Portrait of Giuseppina Negroni Prati Morosini, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 455 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portico in Ruins, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Codice Atlantico (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Still Life with Fruit, Isaac Soreau (1604-1638)
Portrait of a Young Girl with a Dove, Natale Schiavoni (1777-1858)
Portrait of Manfredo Settala, Daniele Crespi (1600-1630) attribuito a
Flowers in a Vase, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 117 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Madonna Nursing the Child by the Fountain, Bernaert van Orley (1488-1541)
Judith and Holofernes, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Christ Resurrected, Marco Basaiti (1470-1530)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 12 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Orrery, Sconosciuto
The Madonna of the Pavilion, Sandro Botticelli (Alessandro di Mariano Filipepi detto) (1444 o 1445-1510)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 663 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 116 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Daggers with sheath (eared sfondagiaco dagger), Milanese Gunsmiths
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 71 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Placing of Christ in the Sepulchre, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
The Holy Family, Carlo Francesco Nuvolone (1609-1661)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 5 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Lady, Giovanni Ambrogio De Predis (1455-1508)
The Virgin of the Rocks, Andrea Bianchi detto il Vespino (attivo 1612-1640)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 845 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 860 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 858 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Crib, Federico Barocci o Baroccio detto il Fiori (1535-1612) (replica di)
The Assumption of the Virgin, Giovanni Agostino da Lodi (1467-1524 circa)
The Triumph of David, Lucas Hugenszoon detto Luca di Leida (1494-1533)
Jael and Sisera, Giuseppe Vermiglio (1585-1635)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 149 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Portrait of a Young Man, Vittore Ghislandi detto Frà Galgario (1655-1743)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 844 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Kids and Lambs, Francesco Londonio (1723-1783)
Cup with Turbo marmoratus shell, Christoph Lencker (1556 circa-1613)
The Madonna and Child with Saint Peter and Saint Jerome, Cesare Magni (1511-1534)
Male portrait, Hans Muelich (1516-1573)
Portrait of Paolo Morigia, Fede Galizia (1578-1630)
Portrait of Saint Charles Borromeo, Giovanni Ambrogio Figino (1548-1608)
The Holy Family with Saints Anne and John, Bernardino Luini (1480-1532)
Dantesque window, Giuseppe Bertini (1825-1898)
The Adoration with Saint Roch, Gian Pietro Rizzoli detto Giampietrino (1508-1549)
Ceremonial saddle and stirrups. Detail of the wooden horse of Troy, Arte armaiola milanese
Saint Michael the Archangel, Giulio Cesare Procaccini (1574-1625)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 710 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 29 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
The Kiss, Francesco Hayez (1791-1882)
Mouse with Roses, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
Sacra Conversazione, Ambrogio da Fossano detto il Bergognone (1453-1523)
The School of Athens, Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520)
Original Sin, Jan II Brueghel il Giovane (1601-1678)
The Rest on the Flight into Egypt, Jacopo da Ponte detto il Bassano (1510-1592)
Head of Christ the Redeemer, Gian Giacomo Caprotti detto Salai (1480-1524)
Washerwomen at the Canal, Emilio Gola (1851-1923)
Adoration of the Magi, Tiziano Vecellio (1480-1576)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus) f. 199 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Armillary sphere, NA
Portrait of a Young Man, Giorgione (Giorgio da Castelfranco copia da) (1478 circa-1510)
Burse, Artista dell’Italia centrale
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 812 recto, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 909 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Apse of San Satiro and View of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Mercury and Argus, Anonimo genovese (XVII secolo)
The Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian, Antonio Badile (1518-1560)
The Damned Soul, Anonimo lombardo (XVII secolo)
Allegory of Water, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)
The Madonna Enthroned with Saint Ambrose and Saint Michael, Bartolomeo Suardi detto il Bramantino (1465-1530)
Lesenes and trophies, Agostino Busti detto il Bambaia (1483-1548)
View of the Interior of the Duomo, Giovanni Migliara (1785-1837)
Portrait of a Musician, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Clock with astrolabe, Sconosciuto
Atlantic Codex (Codex Atlanticus), f. 1006 verso, Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)
Vase of Flowers with Jewel, Coins and Shells, Jan Brueghel il Vecchio “Dei Velluti” (1568-1625)