Ambrosiana

Envisioning and representing Africa

Each of the remarkably diverse traditions that compose the complex mosaic of African cultures has elaborated, over the centuries, its own forms, spaces and modalities of self-representation, written and unwritten.

In this regard, taking as its theme autobiography in tandem with biography, the V Dies Academicus of the Ambrosian Academy’s Classis Africana aims to explore self-writing in its myriad forms and modalities, from memoir, confession, journal, travel writing, letters and diary to semi-autobiographical fiction, interviews, visual arts and fashion.

Self-writing allows subjects to relate and, above all, to invent themselves across diverse circumstances and life experiences. Biography, which may come to us also via a range of media–oral narrative, written texts, documentary film, graphic and musical arts–brings into play multiple perspectives on its subject, developed retrospectively and perhaps from a distance, adumbrating and contextualizing more deliberately and sometimes projecting its subject as the very emblem of an historical time and place.

What are the pleasures of autobiography and biography for readers? Who are their readers, listeners or spectators? Can we identify historical moments in which these forms have greater or lesser appeal as narratives of an individual life or as ethnographic accounts? Is either tendency better? Are readings of African autobiographies as “ethnographic” problematic? Taking into account formal properties, as well as the challenges and possibilities of diverse media and genres, the study of autobiography and biography allows us to traverse centuries, ethnicities, states, languages and cultures, enabling an understanding of the intimate relationship of varied geo-political and historical contexts and the arts of representation.

PROGRAM

Friday, 10th February 2023

4.30 pm New Academicians’ appointment and official opening of the Dies Academicus

5.00 pm
Session I – Autobiographies (Chair: Eileen Julien and Mena B. Lafkioui)

Tassadit Yacine (Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales – Paris), Féminité, modes de résistances et subjectivité dans le monde kabyle (XIX-XXème siècle), en Algérie

Emanuele Marcello Ciampini (Università Ca’ Foscari – Venice), On the Egyptian (pharaonic) autobiographies as a literary genre

Emanuela Trevisan Semi (Università Ca’ Foscari – Venice), Letters as autobiography among the Beta Israel, the case of Taamrat Emmanuel and Tadesse Yacov, uncle and nephew in the resistance against Italian occupation. (online)

Saturday, 11th February 2023

9.30 am
Session II – Biographies (Chairs Mena B. Lafkioui)

Nafisa Valieva (Collège de France – Paris), Reading of the ‘Life of Lālibalā’ (Gadla Lālibalā) as a biography and a portrait of Ethiopian society

Annunziata Di Rienzo (Sapienza Università – Rome), “Perfect in all virtue”. Life and Encomium of John Colobos: monastic life and cultural crossroads at Sketis

Mohamed Meouak (Universidad de Cádiz), Résultats préliminaires d’une enquête sur les Wafayāt d’Aḥmad b. Yaḥyā al-Wanšarīsī (mort en 1508): un recueil de notices nécrologiques/biographiques contenant des matériaux anthroponymiques et toponymiques berbères

Mena B. Lafkioui (Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales – Centre national de recherche scientifique – Paris), Abdelkrim. A never-ending biographical narrative of a unique Amazigh leader

2.45 pm
Session III – Film biography (Chairs Eileen Julien)

Introductiory remarks by Samba Gadjigo (Mt. Holyoke College, Massachusetts, USA, author of Ousmane Sembène: A Revolutionary Artist), and

Eileen Julien (Indiana University, USA) La noire de… (Black Girl) [1966], Screening

Sembène [2016], Screening

followed by: Q & A session

5.50 pm
Conclusion and greetings

Lectures of the two days will be in English, French and Italian

Free admission

WHAT’S ON

PINACOTECA AND CRYPT: AUGUST OPENING HOURS

Pinacoteca

The Pinacoteca Ambrosiana has been awarded Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards for 2025.

Pinacoteca

28/07/2025
NEWS
Reading room: summer closure

Biblioteca

Reading room: summer closure

Reading room closed from July 21 to August 31 included

08/07/2025
NEWS
A NEW LAYOUT FOR THE FLEMISH MASTERS ROOM

Pinacoteca

Natura morta<br>Jago and Caravaggio: two views on the transience of life

Pinacoteca

ONLINE COLLECTION

(158 online artworks)

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